Origin
Westminster, LA
Morning in Westminster on Sunday
Local time
9:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Westminster, LA to Shreveport, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
252.6 mi
406 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 26m
★
6 AM
4h 39m
8 AM
5h 6m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Westminster, LA
AXP Photography
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 252.6-mile journey from Westminster to Shreveport, Louisiana, will take approximately 4 hours and 39 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate through the Southeast region of Louisiana, primarily using Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 1 before merging onto I-10 for a portion of the drive. With a projected fuel cost of around $38, this route offers a straightforward travel experience. The profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for more engaged navigation rather than a simple interstate cruise. One stop is recommended along the way to break up the 4.5-hour drive.
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
126.3 miles from Westminster, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 186.3 mi | 3h 10m |
| State Route 1 | 49 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 10 | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| West Florida Republic Parkway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Caddo Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Pete Harris Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Highway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Westminster, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on Baker Drive
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Baker Drive
2
Turn right onto Chelsea Drive
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Chelsea Drive
3
Turn left onto LA 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Highway
4
Turn left onto LA 3064
282 ft
·
5 sec
·
Essen Lane
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 12 West
6
Merge onto I 12
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Florida Republic Parkway
7
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
14
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi
·
3 hr 10 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
16
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pete Harris Drive
17
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Caddo Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
19
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Parkway
20
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 39-minute estimated duration, this route is best tackled as a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility. Consider an early morning departure from Westminster to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for your single recommended stop. The longest uninterrupted stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is substantial, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye out for the transitions between State Route 1 and I-10, as these can be points where navigation requires extra attention. The estimated fuel cost of $38 is a helpful budgeting tool for this approximately 253-mile drive.
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 126.3 miles from Westminster, LA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 56 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.3 miles or 2h 27m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shreveport, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Westminster, 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 Westminster, LA
This is one driving day of about 252.6 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Westminster, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 186.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.3 miles from Westminster, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.3 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 249.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Chelsea Drive
Turn right onto Chelsea Drive
Navigation decision point
6
6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
10.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
6
249.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.15 one way
$76.30 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $41.88 | $83.76 |
| premium | $4.56 | $45.34 | $90.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.77 | $111.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.8 | 0 | $26.52 | $12.12 |
| Efficient EV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.10 | $10.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101 | 1 | $35.36 | $16.17 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Morning in Shreveport on Sunday
Local time
9:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
126 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
15 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
4h 39m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 174.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive from Westminster to Shreveport is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating a route that requires frequent adjustments rather than a sustained, high-speed interstate experience. While 23% of the journey utilizes highways, the majority involves local roads and state routes. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, offering a significant period of consistent travel before you transition to other road types. Expect the road to evolve throughout your trip, shifting from more local thoroughfares to sections of faster, albeit limited, highway driving.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 0.1 miles in near Chelsea Drive.
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 16 significant decision points across 252.6 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 0.1 miles (Chelsea Drive): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Shreveport, LA
Full guide →Shreveport is the largest city in Northern Louisiana, part of the twin city metro of Shreveport-Bossier City, and is considered the principal city in the three-state region known as the "Ark-La-Tex." It has about 188,000 residents (2019), and is in the area of the state designated as the Sportsman's Paradise. Many lakes and rivers are in the area and offer recreational activities. The surrounding area is also a contrast from points in southern Louisiana, in that the landscape is marked by rolling hills and pine forests, being an extension of the Texas region known as the Piney Woods.
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 39m. Total distance: 252.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson 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 Shreveport, 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 0.1 miles (Chelsea Drive): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole 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 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Shreveport, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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