Origin
Covington, LA
Evening in Covington on Thursday
Local time
5:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Covington, LA to Shreveport, LA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 46m
Distance
313.3 mi
504 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 33m
★
6 AM
5h 47m
8 AM
6h 13m
10 AM
5h 56m
12 PM
5h 53m
3 PM
5h 57m
5 PM
6h 12m
8 PM
5h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Covington, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 313.3-mile journey from Covington, LA, to Shreveport, LA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 46 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost around $47, it's an economical option for exploring more of Louisiana. The route primarily utilizes roads like the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 1, with 37% of the drive being on highways. This drive offers a mixed experience, making it a straightforward, manageable trip for a single day. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entirety of this 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
156.6 miles from Covington, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 313.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, not a monotonous interstate grind. While 37% of the journey is on highways, you'll also encounter other types of roads, including State Route 1. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 186.3 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. The road character will likely shift as you progress, moving between faster-paced highway sections and potentially more varied local road conditions.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 186.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.4 miles in near LA 21 / South Tyler Street.
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 14 significant decision points across 313.3 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 0.4 miles (LA 21 / South Tyler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 66.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
LA 21 / South Tyler Street
Turn left onto LA 21 / South Tyler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
66.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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
70.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m 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
71 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m 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
310.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 186.3 mi | 3h 10m |
| West Florida Republic Parkway | 59.4 mi | 1h 4m |
| State Route 1 | 49 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 10 | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| South Tyler Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Highway 21 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Caddo Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on this road
150 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn slight right
197 ft
·
3 sec
3
Turn straight onto US 190 Business; LA 21
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
West 21st Avenue
4
Turn left onto LA 21
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Tyler Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on LA 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 21
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 12 West: Hammond
7
Merge onto I 12
59 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
15
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi
·
3 hr 10 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
17
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pete Harris Drive
18
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Caddo Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
20
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Parkway
21
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 46-minute estimated drive time, starting your trip from Covington in the morning is advisable to reach Shreveport comfortably within the same day. You'll have one primary stop to consider along the 313.3-mile route. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 186.3 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient refueling point. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 156.6 miles from Covington, LA, or about 3h 3m 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 69 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.6 miles or 3h 3m 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 45m
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 Covington, 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 Covington, LA
This is one driving day of about 313.3 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Covington, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 156.6 mi from Covington, LA · 3h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 156.6 miles from Covington, 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.
Arriving in Shreveport, LA
The final approach into Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, LA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.32 one way
$94.63 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $51.94 | $103.88 |
| premium | $4.56 | $56.23 | $112.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $69.17 | $138.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94 | 1 | $32.90 | $15.04 |
| Efficient EV | 78.3 | 0 | $27.41 | $12.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.3 | 1 | $43.86 | $20.05 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Evening in Shreveport on Thursday
Local time
5:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
157 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 46m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Covington, LA to Shreveport, LA covers 313.3 miles and takes about 5h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, West Florida Republic Parkway, State Route 1. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 156.6 miles from Covington, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.32 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 313.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (LA 21 / South Tyler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 66.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Covington, LA to Shreveport, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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