Skip to main content

Trip from Alexandria, LA to Bayou Cane, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

187.2 mi

301 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 19m ★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m

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

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

Alexandria, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bayou Cane, LA, LA

Bayou Cane, LA

Alfo Medeiros

Trip Overview

The drive from Alexandria, LA to Bayou Cane, LA covers 187.2 miles and takes about 3h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 90, Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, Veterans Memorial Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.8 miles on US 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.27 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

93.6 miles from Alexandria, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 187.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The drive from Alexandria, LA to Bayou Cane, LA covers 187.2 miles and takes about 3h 31m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 94.2 miles in near North Morgan Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 187.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 94.2 miles (North Morgan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 98.4 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 99 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
94.2 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | North Morgan Avenue

Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
98.4 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | LA 92-1 / Young Street

At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street

Navigation decision point

4
99 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
99.6 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
99.8 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 90 87.8 mi 1h 37m
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway 76.4 mi 1h 17m
Veterans Memorial Expressway 10.6 mi 11m
West Main Street 4.3 mi 6m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway 2.2 mi 3m
North Morgan Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway 1.5 mi 2m
St Etienne Road 1 mi 4m
Longest stretch: US 90 — 87.8 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, LA and Bayou Cane, LA.

1

Start on Murray Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Murray Street
2

Turn left onto Thorn Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Thorn Road
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
4

Merge onto I 49; US 71 BYP

76 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
5

Continue on I 49; US 167

8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway
6

Continue on I 49; LA 182

2.2 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway
7

Continue on US 90; LA 182

6.1 mi · 8 min · US 90; LA 182
8

Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Morgan Avenue
9

Turn left onto LA 3073

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
10

Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Fairfield Drive
11

Turn left onto St Etienne Road

1.0 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
12

At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Young Street
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 12 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · US 90
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
20

Keep slight right at fork

394 ft · 9 sec
21

Turn straight onto LA 24

4.3 mi · 6 min · West Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22

Arrive at destination

LA 24

Trip Plan

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 93.6 miles from Alexandria, LA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 41 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.6 miles or 1h 41m 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 52m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, LA

This is one driving day of about 187.2 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Alexandria, 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 US 90 for about 87.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.6 mi from Alexandria, LA · 1h 41m into the drive

seat of Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Iberia, LA

94 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

Broussard, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.6 miles from Alexandria, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.8 miles.

Arriving in Bayou Cane, LA

The final approach into Bayou Cane, LA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bayou Cane, LA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Annie Mae's Soul Food Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Franklin, Louisiana

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.7

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13374717016

Prejean's

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lafayette, Louisiana

2.2 mi

The Cottage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Alexandria, Louisiana

2.8 mi

Annie Mae's Soul Food Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.7

Franklin, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13374717016

Prejean's

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 80.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13378963247

Visit website

The Cottage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13184484220

Visit website

The Creek Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.4

Woodworth, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13184490674

T-Coon's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13372330422

Visit website

Brocatos Breakfast & Lunch

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 6–9:30 am

+13184437520

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 93.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13377068850

Visit website

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 93.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372334077

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 66.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 66.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 66.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

+33172676914

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 66.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

+18887584389

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 66.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 107

New Iberia, Louisiana

+18887584389

Visit website

Alexandria Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13184433458

Visit website

Breakin' The Code

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 187.2

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 1–8 pm

+19853030172

Visit website

Da Swamp

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 187.2

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19853333013

Visit website

Southdown Plantation & Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 187.2

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19858510154

Visit website

Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 187.2

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19855807200

Visit website

Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 147.1

Patterson, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+19853991268

Visit website

Regional Military Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 187.2

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19858738200

Visit website

Kemper Williams Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 147.1

Patterson, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19853952298

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.27 one way

$56.54 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $31.04 $62.07
premium $4.56 $33.60 $67.20
diesel $5.61 $41.33 $82.66

Estimated Tolls: $0.15

Northwest Evangeline Thruway (2.2 mi) $0.15

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.2 0 $19.66 $8.99
Efficient EV 46.8 0 $16.38 $7.49
EV Truck/SUV 74.9 0 $26.21 $11.98

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Alexandria, LA

Late night in Alexandria on Saturday

Local time

5:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bayou Cane, LA

Late night in Bayou Cane on Saturday

Local time

5:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°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

5 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

3h 31m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Alexandria, LA to Bayou Cane, LA covers 187.2 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 90, Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, Veterans Memorial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 93.6 miles from Alexandria, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 187.2 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 94.2 miles (North Morgan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 98.4 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 99 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Alexandria, LA to Bayou Cane, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More trips to Bayou Cane, LA

Explore more options from Alexandria, LA or browse trips ending in Bayou Cane, LA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.