Westwego, LA to Monroe, LA is 266.5 miles and takes about 5h 18m via Samuels Road and I-10, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. You'll experience a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you head north. With only one recommended stop and a drive under six hours, this route is very manageable for a single day. Consider this a straightforward connection between two points in the state.
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
133.3 miles from Westwego, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Samuels Road
75.7 mi
1h 28m
I 10
70.8 mi
1h 20m
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi
1h 12m
I 20
20.3 mi
22m
Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
10.6 mi
12m
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
6.2 mi
8m
LA 3152
3.8 mi
7m
Scenic Highway
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Samuels Road
— 75.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Westwego, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on 5th Street
84 ft·5 sec·5th Street
2
Turn right onto Avenue E
0.1 mi·32 sec·Avenue E
3
Turn left onto LA 18
0.4 mi·43 sec·4th Street
4
Turn right onto LA 18
0.6 mi·1 min·Louisiana Street
5
Turn left onto LA 18; LA 541
0.5 mi·53 sec·River Road
6
Turn straight onto LA 18
1.2 mi·2 min·Bridge City Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
8
Merge onto US 90
1.4 mi·2 min·Huey P. Long Bridge
9
Continue on LA 3152
3.8 mi·7 min·LA 3152
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
12
Merge onto I 10
71 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 110
6.2 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 110
2.6 mi·3 min·Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 8CToward US 61 North: NatchezUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on US 61
3.8 mi·5 min·Scenic Highway
17
Continue on US 61
76 mi·1 hr 28 min·Samuels Road
18
Turn left
0.1 mi·17 sec
19
Continue on US 84; US 425
2.4 mi·2 min·John R Junkin Drive
20
Continue on US 84; US 425
11 mi·12 min·Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
21
Continue on US 425; LA 15
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
22
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
23
Merge onto I 20
20 mi·22 min·I 20
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
25
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
26
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
27
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
28
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
29
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
30
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 18-minute duration, leaving Westwego in the morning should allow you to reach Monroe with plenty of daylight. There's only one stop recommended, so you can decide on its timing based on your comfort. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition off the main highways, as services might become less frequent. The total fuel cost is estimated at $39, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility to adjust your pace.
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 133.3 miles from Westwego, LA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.7 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 59 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 43m 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 22m
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 Westwego, 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 Westwego, LA
This is one driving day of about 266.5 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Westwego, 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 Samuels Road for about 75.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 265.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.1 mi into trip|~18m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
8
88.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 61 North: Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8C
Toward US 61 North: Natchez
5
265.4 mi into trip|~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
5
265.5 mi into trip|~5h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.79 one way
$81.59 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$45.18
$90.36
premium
$4.65
$48.78
$97.56
diesel
$6.28
$65.85
$131.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$27.98
$12.79
Efficient EV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
EV Truck/SUV
106.6
1
$37.31
$17.06
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Westwego, LA
Late night
in Westwego on Friday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
NE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Friday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
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
5h 18m 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.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 248.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 39% of this 266.5-mile route is on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 75.7 miles on Samuels Road. You'll notice the transition from highway cruising, likely with fewer exits, to surface roads as you progress. Expect a mixed driving experience with both faster highway segments and potentially more local traffic on surface streets.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.7 mi on Samuels Road.
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 9.1 miles in near I 10.
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 18 significant decision points across 266.5 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 9.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
348 ft0 ft
Total Climb
381 ft
Total Descent
305 ft
Highest Point
348 ft
~133.5 mi in
Elevation Range
349 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 Westwego, LA to Monroe, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Monroe is the third-largest city in Northern Louisiana, largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and their sports team, the ULM Warhawks.
Founded as Fort Miro, it took on the name of Monroe after the paddle-wheeler James Monroe that came to town in the early 19th century, and, by extrapolation, the former president James Monroe. An interesting bit of trivia is that Monroe was once the headquarters of Delta Airlines, which got its start as the crop dusting operation Delta Dusters in nearby Tallulah.
Slathered down with highly religious views and the effects of years of racial inequality, Monroe can have a rather gritty appearance imbued with a fragrant aroma from its paper mill, but, well, take heart, Wikivoyage traveler.
Top landmarks
•Masur Museum of Art — historic house in Monroe, Louisiana, United States
•Neville High School — high school in Louisiana, United States
•Roland M. Filhiol House — house in Monroe, Louisiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 266.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.7 miles on Samuels Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Monroe, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Monroe, LA before the return drive.
