Baker, LA to Metairie, LA is 85.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 42 minutes via I 10, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This single-day trip stays within Louisiana, moving you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a primarily highway-focused drive that should feel efficient and straightforward, making it a solid option for a quick transit. With a low fuel cost and short duration, it's an accessible journey for most travelers looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43 miles from Baker, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 85.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is heavily dominated by highway driving, with 94% of the journey on major roads like I 10 and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway. You'll experience a consistent, fast-paced drive for the most part, including a long stretch of 72.6 miles solely on I 10. While the profile is highway-focused, expect some variations as you transition onto roads like Scotland Avenue. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with minimal slowdowns anticipated on this direct path.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 72.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.7 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
5
4 mi into trip|~6m in|I 110 / Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Merge onto I 110 / Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
11.5 mi into trip|~16m in|I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
84.6 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel...
7
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Causeway Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Causeway Boulevard South
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
72.6 mi
1h 22m
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
6.2 mi
7m
Scotland Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
1.8 mi
2m
Main Street
1.5 mi
2m
North Causeway Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
47th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
46th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 72.6 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baker, LA and Metairie, LA.
1
Start on Groom Road
17 ft·2 sec·Groom Road
2
Turn right onto LA 19
1.5 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Continue on LA 19
2.2 mi·3 min·Scotland Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
305 ft·9 sec
Toward I 110 South: Baton RougeUse the left lane.
5
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·35 sec·this road
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
6
Merge onto I 110
1.8 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 110
5.7 mi·7 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 110
0.5 mi·35 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 10
73 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 228Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·55 sec
Toward Causeway Boulevard SouthUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto North Causeway Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·North Causeway Boulevard
13
Turn left onto 46th Street
88 ft·5 sec·46th Street
14
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
285 ft·17 sec·North Causeway Boulevard
15
Turn left onto 47th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·47th Street
16
Arrive at destination
Fagot Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour 42 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan to leave when you feel most comfortable, as you won't need to break up the 85.9 miles into segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 72.6-mile stretch on I 10, as services might be less frequent than on local roads. The $13 fuel cost suggests it's an economical leg of your journey, so focus on making good time.
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 43 miles from Baker, LA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.6 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Baker, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Baker, LA
This is one driving day of about 85.9 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Baker, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 72.6 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 85.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
Efficient EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
EV Truck/SUV
34.4
0
$12.03
$5.50
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Baker, LA
Late night
in Baker on Saturday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Metairie, LA
Late night
in Metairie on Saturday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
22 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
1h 42m 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 Baker, LA to Metairie, LA covers 85.9 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway, Scotland Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43 miles from Baker, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Baker, LA to Metairie, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
