Origin
DeRidder, LA
Afternoon in DeRidder on Sunday
Local time
2:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from DeRidder, LA to Central, LA
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
161.3 mi
260 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
DeRidder, LA
Miguel Cuenca
Central, LA
Jesus Alfonso
Trip Overview
Traveling from DeRidder to Central, Louisiana, covers a span of 161.3 miles that you can comfortably complete in about 3 hours and 27 minutes. Because this journey is well within the range of a single day, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the trip, making it an affordable excursion through the southeastern part of the state. The drive utilizes a mix of West Vine Street, US 190, and the Basile Eunice Highway to connect these two locations. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this straightforward route offers a manageable pace for any driver. It serves as an efficient connection across the region, allowing you to reach your destination without the stress of a multi-day haul.
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
80.6 miles from DeRidder, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile that keeps the experience varied rather than monotonous. You will spend about 33% of your time on highways, balancing higher-speed segments with more local road travel. Be prepared for a steady start, as the longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 51.7 miles along West Vine Street. As you transition between the various roads, the character of the pavement and the flow of traffic will shift accordingly. Navigating these different road types requires a bit of focus, but the overall rhythm of the drive remains consistent throughout the 161.3-mile journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Vine Street is the longest continuous segment at about 51.7 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.3 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: near the start (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 146.3 miles (US 190; LA 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street
Turn right onto US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
146.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
|
US 190; LA 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190; LA 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
152.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clint...
8
153 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clint...
5
154.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
LA 408 / Hooper Road
Turn right onto LA 408 / Hooper Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between DeRidder, LA and Central, LA, road signs point toward Baker, Zachary and Clinton.
Baker
152.7 mi in
|
~3h 12m
Zachary
152.7 mi in
|
~3h 12m
Clinton
152.7 mi in
|
~3h 12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Vine Street | 51.7 mi | 1h 6m |
| US 190 | 30.1 mi | 45m |
| Basile Eunice Highway | 27.8 mi | 31m |
| Highway 171 | 22.6 mi | 25m |
| 3rd Avenue | 13 mi | 14m |
| Hooper Road | 7 mi | 11m |
| West Landry Street | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| West 1st Street | 2.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
West Vine Street
— 51.7 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeRidder, LA and Central, LA.
1
Start on LA 27
155 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Pine Street
2
Turn right onto US 171; US 190
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West 1st Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 171; US 190
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Highway 171
4
Take the exit onto US 190
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 190
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 190
23 mi
·
34 min
·
US 190
6
Turn right onto US 190
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
8th Street
7
Turn left onto US 190
13 mi
·
14 min
·
3rd Avenue
8
Continue on US 190
28 mi
·
31 min
·
Basile Eunice Highway
9
Continue on US 190
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Landry Street
10
Turn slight right onto US 190
52 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
West Vine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190; LA 1
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
US 190; LA 1
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton
Use the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto LA 67
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Plank Road
Use the none lane.
15
Turn right onto LA 408
7.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Hooper Road
Use the none lane.
16
Arrive at destination
LA 408
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 27-minute trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and stay sharp behind the wheel. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid potential traffic fluctuations as you transition onto the busier sections of US 190. Since your fuel budget is estimated at $25, consider filling up before you leave DeRidder to ensure you have plenty of range for the entire 161.3-mile distance. Keep a close eye on the transition points between the Basile Eunice Highway and the other local roads, as these junctions are where you will likely need to adjust your speed most frequently. Using your single allotted stop to refuel or grab a quick snack will help you maintain a steady, comfortable pace until you arrive in Central.
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 80.6 miles from DeRidder, LA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.7 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.6 miles or 1h 40m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving DeRidder, 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 DeRidder, LA
This is one driving day of about 161.3 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from DeRidder, 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 West Vine Street for about 51.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.6 mi from DeRidder, LA · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80.6 miles from DeRidder, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Central, LA
The final approach into Central, 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 Central, 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
$24.66 one way
$49.32 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $27.05 | $54.09 |
| premium | $4.61 | $29.28 | $58.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.84 | $71.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.94 | $7.74 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.11 | $6.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.58 | $10.32 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Central, LA
Afternoon in Central on Sunday
Local time
2:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
65°F
Newton, TX
81 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
1 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
3h 27m 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 DeRidder, LA to Central, LA covers 161.3 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Vine Street, US 190, Basile Eunice Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.6 miles from DeRidder, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.66 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 161.3 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: near the start (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 146.3 miles (US 190; LA 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between DeRidder, LA and Central, LA, road signs point toward Baker, Zachary and Clinton.
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