Connecting Vivian to Monroe, this 128.8-mile journey across Louisiana is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it an efficient choice for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating through the southeastern part of the state, you will rely on a combination of the Purple Heart Recipients Highway, I-49, and Highway 170. It is a practical route for travelers who prefer a direct path between these two points without the need for extensive planning or multiple stopovers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.4 miles from Vivian, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Vivian, LA and Monroe, 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
15 mi·14 min·I 49
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward LA 1: North Market Street
7
Turn left onto LA 1
4.5 mi·6 min·North Market Street
8
Turn left
0.4 mi·59 sec
9
Merge onto I 220
5.7 mi·6 min·Joseph D. Waggonner Jr. Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 220
3.5 mi·3 min·Johnny Wyatt Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
12
Merge onto I 20
88 mi·1 hr 35 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward LA 34
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward LA 34 North
15
Turn straight onto LA 34
0.3 mi·25 sec·Stella Street
16
Continue on LA 34
0.3 mi·30 sec·Mill Street
17
Continue on LA 34
0.3 mi·31 sec·Bridge Street
18
Continue on US 80; LA 15
0.5 mi·1 min·Louisville Avenue
19
Turn right
45 ft·5 sec
20
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of under two and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can comfortably head out in the morning or afternoon without worrying about finding mid-route accommodations, as there are no mandatory stops required to complete the 128.8-mile distance. Given the significant portion of the drive spent on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it is wise to pace yourself and allow extra time for potential traffic on the secondary highways. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 88.3-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Recipients Highway, as this is your longest period away from local service points. Having your $20 fuel budget ready before you depart will ensure you stay on schedule for your arrival in Monroe.
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 64.4 miles from Vivian, LA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.3 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.4 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, 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 128.8 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Vivian, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Recipients Highway for about 88.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 126.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
4
23.3 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward LA 1: North Market Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward LA 1: North Market Street
5
37.8 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
4
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward LA 34
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward LA 34
5
126.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward LA 34 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward LA 34 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.45 one way
$38.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$21.35
$42.71
premium
$4.56
$23.12
$46.24
diesel
$5.61
$28.44
$56.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.6
0
$13.52
$6.18
Efficient EV
32.2
0
$11.27
$5.15
EV Truck/SUV
51.5
0
$18.03
$8.24
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Vivian, LA
Morning
in Vivian on Sunday
Local time
7:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Morning
in Monroe on Sunday
Local time
7:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
30 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
2h 26m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between road types. While you will spend some time on major thoroughfares, only 17 percent of this trip is comprised of highway travel, meaning you will spend the majority of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted portion of your journey occurs on the Purple Heart Recipients Highway, which stretches for 88.3 miles. Because of the technical nature of the local roads, the drive feels less like a monotonous interstate grind and more like an engaged, hands-on experience behind the wheel. You should be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction as the character of the route shifts throughout the trip.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.3 mi on Purple Heart Recipients Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.1 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 128.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 37.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 128.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (17%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.3 miles on Purple Heart Recipients Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 37.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monroe, LA before heading back.
