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Trip from West Monroe, LA to Prairieville, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
202.2 mi
325 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Monroe, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Prairieville, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
West Monroe to Prairieville is 202.2 miles and takes about 4h 4m via US 425, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Southeast region of Louisiana to another part of the Southeast, staying within the state the entire time. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving, making it a manageable one-day excursion. With a projected fuel cost of around $30, it's an economical option for a quick getaway.
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
101.1 miles from West Monroe, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Seargent Prentiss Drive | 79.3 mi | 1h 34m |
| US 425 | 76.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| I 20 | 22 mi | 24m |
| Airline Highway | 18.6 mi | 27m |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| North 7th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Stella Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Seargent Prentiss Drive
— 79.3 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Monroe, LA and Prairieville, LA.
1
Start on LA 143
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Street
2
Turn right onto LA 34
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Stella Street
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
4
Merge onto I 20
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 20
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
6
Turn right onto US 425
76 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
US 425
7
Keep slight right at fork
526 ft
·
14 sec
8
Merge onto US 61
79 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Seargent Prentiss Drive
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
10
Continue on I 110
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward US 190, US 61: Opelousas, Airline Highway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 190 East, US 61 South: Airline Highway
13
Merge onto US 61; US 190
18 mi
·
26 min
·
Airline Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 61
482 ft
·
13 sec
·
Airline Highway
15
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive of just over 4 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving West Monroe in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Prairieville. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 79.3 miles, so plan for a brief stop before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the surface road portions, as stations may be less frequent. A fuel cost estimate of $30 suggests you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops.
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 101.1 miles from West Monroe, LA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Prairieville, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Monroe, 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 West Monroe, LA
This is one driving day of about 202.2 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from West Monroe, 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 Seargent Prentiss Drive for about 79.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.1 miles from West Monroe, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Seargent Prentiss Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Fred's State Line - Casino and Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Made To Go Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 24.1 and 183.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
24.1 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
4
24.4 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 425
Turn right onto US 425
Navigation decision point
8
182.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 190, US 61: Opelousas, Airline Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward US 190, US 61: Opelousas, Airline Highwa...
6
183.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 190 East, US 61 South: Airline Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 190 East, US 61 South: Airline Highwa...
5
183.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway
Merge onto US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.07 one way
$56.14 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $31.40 | $62.81 |
| premium | $4.29 | $34.14 | $68.29 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.18 | $76.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.23 | $9.71 |
| Efficient EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.69 | $8.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.9 | 1 | $28.31 | $12.94 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Origin
West Monroe, LA
Morning in West Monroe on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Prairieville, LA
Morning in Prairieville on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Clear
W 0 to 5 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 4m 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.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 20.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About half of this 202.2-mile drive is on highways, with the other half on surface roads. You'll encounter a lengthy stretch of 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive before transitioning to highway travel. Expect varied driving conditions as you move from potentially more urban or suburban areas around West Monroe to the more open stretches as you head south. The transition between highway and surface roads will require your attention.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.3 mi on Seargent Prentiss Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 24.1 miles in.
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 10 significant decision points across 202.2 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 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles (US 425): Navigation decision point; at 182.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
297 ft
22 ft
Total Climb
255 ft
Total Descent
317 ft
Highest Point
297 ft
~130 mi in
Elevation Range
275 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Monroe, LA and Prairieville, LA, road signs point toward Archibald and Airline Highway.
Archibald
24.1 mi in
|
~27m
Airline Highway
182.5 mi in
|
~3h 34m
About the Cities
Starting in West Monroe, LA
Full guide →Arriving in Prairieville, LA
Full guide →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 4h 4m. Total distance: 202.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Prairieville, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles (US 425): Navigation decision point; at 182.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Prairieville, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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