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Trip from Vivian, LA to Baton Rouge, LA

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

Drive Time

5h 11m

Distance

279.2 mi

449 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 58m ★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 4m

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

town in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States

Vivian, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a journey from Vivian to Baton Rouge covers 279.2 miles and is estimated to take about 5 hours and 11 minutes. This drive, predominantly within Louisiana's Southeast region, is manageable as a single-day trip, though you might consider an overnight stop to fully enjoy the experience. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $42. You'll navigate a mix of highways, making it a practical choice for a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop, you can maintain a good pace and reach your destination efficiently.

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

139.6 miles from Vivian, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 186.4 mi 3h 10m
US 190 49.5 mi 1h 3m
I 49 20.2 mi 21m
Highway 170 6.4 mi 9m
LA 415 Spur 3.6 mi 5m
I 10 3 mi 3m
Hilry Huckaby III Avenue 1.9 mi 2m
South Pardue Street 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway — 186.4 mi, about 3h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Vivian, LA and Baton Rouge, LA.

1

Start on West Arkansas Avenue

0.3 mi · 35 sec · West Arkansas Avenue
2

Continue on South Pardue Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Pardue Street
3

Continue on LA 170

6.4 mi · 9 min · Highway 170
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
5

Merge onto I 49

20 mi · 21 min · I 49
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 220 West: Dallas
7

Merge onto I 220

0.7 mi · 47 sec · Joseph D. Waggonner Jr. Memorial Highway
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Toward LA 173: Hilry Huckaby III Avenue
9

Keep slight left at fork

190 ft · 6 sec
10

Turn left onto LA 173

1.9 mi · 2 min · Hilry Huckaby III Avenue
11

Continue on LA 173

1.2 mi · 2 min · Ford Street
12

Turn right onto Allen Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Allen Avenue
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
14

Continue on I 49

186 mi · 3 hr 10 min · Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
16

Keep slight left at fork

362 ft · 9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
17

Merge onto US 190

49 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur

3.6 mi · 5 min · LA 415 Spur
19

Turn left

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
20

Merge onto I 10

3.0 mi · 3 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Exit 155A Toward LA 30 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork

399 ft · 9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
23

Turn straight onto LA 3290-1

494 ft · 18 sec · Oklahoma Street
24

Turn right onto LA 30

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Nicholson Drive
25

Continue on Saint Louis Street

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Saint Louis Street
26

Turn right onto Government Street

13 ft · 0 sec · Government Street
27

Arrive at destination

Government Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 5-hour drive from Vivian to Baton Rouge, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Baton Rouge. While the drive is feasible in one day, planning for one stop around the halfway mark will help break up the 279.2 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major town could be on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The $42 fuel estimate is a helpful budget point, but always factor in a small buffer.

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 139.6 miles from Vivian, LA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 61 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 139.6 miles or 2h 32m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 5m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Vivian, 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 Vivian, LA

This is one driving day of about 279.2 miles and 5h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Vivian, 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 Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 186.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

largest city and parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Alexandria, LA

140 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

Bossier City, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alexandria, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.6 miles from Vivian, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.4 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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 28.6 and 278.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
28.6 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 220 West: Dallas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 220 West: Dallas
5
34.1 mi into trip | ~43m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South: Alexandria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
6
221.7 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in | US 190

Merge onto US 190

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
278.1 mi into trip | ~5h 9m in

Take the exit toward LA 30

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 155A Toward LA 30
6
278.5 mi into trip | ~5h 9m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.17 one way

$84.33 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $46.29 $92.58
premium $4.56 $50.11 $100.23
diesel $5.61 $61.64 $123.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.8 1 $29.32 $13.40
Efficient EV 69.8 0 $24.43 $11.17
EV Truck/SUV 111.7 1 $39.09 $17.87

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 14, 2026

Origin

Vivian, LA

Afternoon in Vivian on Sunday

Local time

3:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Baton Rouge, LA

Afternoon in Baton Rouge on Sunday

Local time

3:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

S 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

85°F

Alexandria, LA

140 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

29 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

5h 11m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 30% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant stretch, 186.4 miles, on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, which will likely provide a more continuous driving segment. The use of US 190 and I 49 suggests periods of both faster interstate travel and potentially more varied road conditions on the U.S. highway. Expect the road to evolve from potentially more rural stretches near Vivian to more developed areas as you approach Baton Rouge.

30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.4 mi on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 279.2 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 28.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 221.7 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Vivian, LA to Baton Rouge, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.

Opelousas

221.2 mi in | ~3h 55m

About the Cities

Arriving in Baton Rouge, LA

Full guide →

Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, USA. Located on the east bank of the mighty Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is Louisiana's second largest city, home of Louisiana State University, major port facilities, and a variety of attractions.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 279.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 186.4 miles on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Baton Rouge, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 28.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 221.7 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Baton Rouge, LA before the return drive.

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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