Trip from Thibodaux, LA to Lafayette, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 2m

Distance

98.5 mi

158 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

1h 53m ★

6 AM

2h 2m

8 AM

2h 20m

10 AM

2h 8m

12 PM

2h 6m

3 PM

2h 9m

5 PM

2h 19m

8 PM

1h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in and the parish seat of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States

Thibodaux, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 98.5-mile drive from Thibodaux to Lafayette, Louisiana, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just over 2 hours to complete. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with a small percentage on highways, making for a more engaged driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $15. Given its relatively short distance and local road profile, this route offers a flexible way to travel between these two Southeast Louisiana communities without the need for an overnight stay. It's a straightforward trip perfect for a quick transition between towns.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.2 miles from Thibodaux, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Raceland-M C Express	75 mi	1h 21m
LA 20	6.1 mi	10m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway	2.7 mi	3m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway	2.5 mi	3m
Main Street	2.4 mi	3m
South Morgan Avenue	1.6 mi	2m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway	1.5 mi	2m
Veterans Memorial Expressway	1.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Raceland-M C Express — 75 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thibodaux, LA and Lafayette, LA.

Start on LA 1

116 ft · 6 sec · Saint Mary Street

Turn right onto LA 20

0.6 mi · 53 sec · Jackson Street

Enter roundabout onto LA 20

139 ft · 2 sec · Canal Boulevard

Continue on LA 20

0.8 mi · 1 min · Canal Boulevard

Continue on LA 20

2.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street

Turn slight right onto LA 20

0.2 mi · 31 sec · LA 20

Turn left onto LA 20

5.9 mi · 10 min · LA 20

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Merge onto US 90

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Raceland-M C Express

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.4 mi · 28 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Take the exit onto LA 92-1

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Young Street

Continue on LA 92-1

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Young Street

Turn right onto St Etienne Road

1.0 mi · 3 min · St Etienne Road

At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

0.1 mi · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive

Turn left onto LA 3073

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway

Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Morgan Avenue

Turn right onto US 90; LA 182

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Keep slight left at fork

158 ft · 7 sec

Turn left onto US 90; LA 182

2.5 mi · 2 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Continue on US 90; LA 182

2.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway

Turn left onto East University Avenue

1.4 mi · 2 min · East University Avenue

Turn right onto Johnston Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Johnston Street

Turn left onto Rue Jefferson

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Rue Jefferson

Turn left onto Rue Vermilion Ouest

335 ft · 16 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

Arrive at destination

Rue Vermilion Ouest

Trip Plan

This is a straightforward, short drive, making it ideal for a morning departure, allowing you ample time to reach Lafayette and settle in. With a duration of just over 2 hours, you likely won't need many extended stops, but be mindful of fuel, especially since the longest stretch is 75 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as services might be less frequent on the local roads. The $15 fuel cost is a good budget to keep in mind. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, staying aware of navigation is key.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 49.2 miles from Thibodaux, LA, or about 1h into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 22 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.2 miles or 1h in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Thibodaux, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Thibodaux, LA

This is one driving day of about 98.5 miles and 2h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Thibodaux, LA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Raceland-M C Express for about 75 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Franklin, LA

49 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Morgan City, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Franklin, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.2 miles from Thibodaux, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Raceland-M C Express if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 91.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | LA 20 / Jackson Street

Turn right onto LA 20 / Jackson Street

Navigation decision point

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | LA 20 / Canal Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto LA 20 / Canal Boulevard

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

85.2 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

86.4 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

91.5 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.88 one way

$29.75 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$16.33	$32.66
premium	$4.56	$17.68	$35.36
diesel	$5.61	$21.75	$43.50

Estimated Tolls: $0.34

Southwest Evangeline Thruway (2.5 mi) $0.17

Southeast Evangeline Thruway (2.5 mi) $0.17

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	29.5	$10.34	$4.73
Efficient EV	24.6	$8.62	$3.94
EV Truck/SUV	39.4	$13.79	$6.30

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (65% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Thibodaux, LA

Night in Thibodaux on Saturday

Local time

11:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lafayette, LA

Night in Lafayette on Saturday

Local time

11:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

81°F

Franklin, LA

49 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

20 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 2m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 9% of the journey on highways. The majority of your time will be spent on roads like Raceland-M C Express, LA 20, and Southwest Evangeline Thruway. You'll encounter frequent turns and changes in scenery as you traverse local communities. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 75 miles on Raceland-M C Express, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied local roads. This road profile means you'll be actively engaged with the driving.

Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 75 mi on Raceland-M C Express.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 20 / Jackson Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 98.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 20 / Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (LA 20 / Canal Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.2 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 98.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 75 miles on Raceland-M C Express. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.34 in tolls one way, starting with Southwest Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lafayette, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lafayette, LA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Thibodaux, LA to Lafayette, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Thibodaux, LA

Lafayette, LA

Same local time

20 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 2m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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