Origin
Ball, LA
Afternoon in Ball on Sunday
Local time
1:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ball, LA to Lafayette, LA
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
96.8 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Trip Overview
Driving from Ball to Lafayette covers 96.8 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes to complete. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $13 on fuel for the one-way trek. Navigating through the Southeast, you will rely on a combination of Monroe Highway, US 165 North, and the Pineville Expressway to reach your destination. This route is straightforward for those looking for a direct path between these two Louisiana locations without the hassle of a multi-day commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
48.4 miles from Ball, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway-exclusive stretches. Since the highway share is 0%, your focus will remain on local roads that require more active steering and attention to changing conditions. You won't find any long, uninterrupted stretches on Monroe Highway, as the road layout encourages a more engaged driving experience. The character of the trip is defined by these constant shifts, making it a different pace than a standard high-speed commute. Prepare for a hands-on experience behind the wheel that reflects the local infrastructure of the region.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Monroe Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ball, LA to Lafayette, LA is easy. At 1h 29m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ball, LA to Lafayette, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 165 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pineville Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 49 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northwest Evangeline Thruway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jefferson Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ball, LA and Lafayette, LA.
1
Start on Monroe Highway
194 ft
·
9 sec
·
Monroe Highway
2
Continue on Monroe Highway
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Monroe Highway
3
Turn left onto US 165 North: Monroe
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 165 North: Monroe
4
Merge slight left onto Pineville Expressway
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pineville Expressway
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
6
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
76 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
7
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Continue on Northwest Evangeline Thruway
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
9
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Jefferson Boulevard
10
Continue on Rue Jefferson
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Rue Jefferson
11
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
335 ft
·
17 sec
·
Rue Vermilion Ouest
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1 hour and 29 minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 96.8-mile distance without needing to build in any formal stops for rest or refueling, provided you start with a full tank. Keep in mind that because the route relies entirely on local roads, you should stay alert for traffic patterns that differ from those on major interstates. If you are planning a round trip, factor in a total fuel budget of at least $26 to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Prioritize checking your tire pressure and vehicle fluids before leaving Ball, as the turn-heavy nature of this drive is more demanding on your car than a straight highway run.
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 48.4 miles from Ball, LA, or about 45m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 miles or 45m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ball, 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 Ball, LA
This is one driving day of about 96.8 miles and 1h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ball, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.4 mi from Ball, LA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.4 miles from Ball, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lafayette, LA
The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, LA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.80 one way
$29.60 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $16.23 | $32.46 |
| premium | $4.61 | $17.57 | $35.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.51 | $43.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.16 | $4.65 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.47 | $3.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.55 | $6.20 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Lafayette, LA
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
1:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
66°F
Jasper, TX
48 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
4 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 29m 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 Ball, LA to Lafayette, LA covers 96.8 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Monroe Highway, US 165 North, Pineville Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.4 miles from Ball, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.80 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.
The drive from Ball, LA to Lafayette, LA is easy. At 1h 29m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ball, LA to Lafayette, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ball, LA to Lafayette, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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