This 245.5-mile drive from Vienna Bend, LA to Kenner, LA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 41 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I-49 and I-10, with a brief stint on US-190. With 99% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $37. Given the relatively short duration and efficient route, this is an ideal day trip, allowing for maximum flexibility in your departure and arrival times within the Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
122.7 miles from Vienna Bend, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 49
107.5 mi
1h 48m
I 10
71.4 mi
1h 20m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
LA 494
5 mi
8m
LA 1
4.2 mi
6m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
LA 120
1.1 mi
2m
Williams Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 107.5 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vienna Bend, LA and Kenner, LA.
1
Start on LA 494
5.0 mi·8 min·LA 494
2
Turn right onto LA 119
0.6 mi·1 min·LA 119
3
At end of road, turn left onto LA 1
4.2 mi·6 min·LA 1
4
Turn right onto LA 120
1.1 mi·2 min·LA 120
5
Turn left
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
6
Merge onto I 49
108 mi·1 hr 48 min·I 49
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
8
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft·9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
9
Merge onto US 190
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
12
Merge onto I 10
71 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 223A-BToward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
174 ft·4 sec
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard SouthUse the right lane.
15
Turn right onto LA 49
1.0 mi·2 min·Williams Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto 21st Street
38 ft·1 sec·21st Street
17
Arrive at destination
21st Street
Trip Plan
This 245.5-mile drive is well-suited for a single-day excursion, so you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. Aim to depart in the morning to make the most of your daylight hours, especially since the route is heavily highway-focused. While there's only one recommended stop, plan for additional brief breaks as needed during the 4-hour and 41-minute travel time to stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly during the longest stretch of 107.5 miles on I-49, to avoid any unnecessary delays.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 122.7 miles from Vienna Bend, LA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.5 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.7 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenner, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Vienna Bend, 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 Vienna Bend, LA
This is one driving day of about 245.5 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Vienna Bend, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 49 for about 107.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 244.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.6 mi into trip|~9m in|LA 1
At end of road, turn left onto LA 1
Navigation decision point
5
11 mi into trip|~18m in
Turn left toward I 49 South: Alexandria
Navigation decision point
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
6
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
244.2 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 223A-B
Toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans I...
9
244.4 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.08 one way
$68.16 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$38.13
$76.26
premium
$4.29
$41.45
$82.91
diesel
$4.80
$46.36
$92.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.7
0
$25.78
$11.78
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.48
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.37
$15.71
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Vienna Bend, LA
Late night
in Vienna Bend on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Partly Sunny
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Kenner, LA
Late night
in Kenner on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 245.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway experience on this 245.5-mile trip, with 99% of your miles clocked on major interstates like I-49 and I-10. You'll encounter a longest continuous stretch of 107.5 miles on I-49, which means extended periods of consistent driving. While the highway focus ensures speed, expect the landscape to remain largely consistent throughout the 4-hour and 41-minute journey. The character of the drive is utilitarian, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B efficiently rather than offering varied scenery.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.5 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near LA 1.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 245.5 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: at 5.6 miles (LA 1): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles: Navigation decision point; at 119.5 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
148 ft0 ft
Total Climb
90 ft
Total Descent
204 ft
Highest Point
148 ft
~35.1 mi in
Elevation Range
148 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Vienna Bend, LA to Kenner, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Kenner is a suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana, on the east bank of Jefferson Parish, approximately 10 mi (16 km) west of the city. It is the location of New Orleans International Airport. René-Robert Cavelier landed on this stretch of the north shore of the Mississippi River in 1682.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 245.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.5 miles on I 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Kenner, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (LA 1): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles: Navigation decision point; at 119.5 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Kenner, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
