Origin
DeRidder, LA
Afternoon in DeRidder on Sunday
Local time
1:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from DeRidder, LA to Houma, LA
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
218.9 mi
352 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Spanning 218.9 miles across Louisiana, this route from DeRidder to Houma is a straightforward trek that takes approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, making it an ideal choice for a direct commute or a day trip. You can expect to spend roughly $33 on fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The path connects two points within the Southeast region, transitioning you from the DeRidder area down toward the coastal landscape of Houma. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that favors efficiency over sightseeing, so prepare for a steady pace rather than a leisurely crawl.
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
109.5 miles from DeRidder, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by its efficiency, as 87% of this route consists of highway driving. You will navigate a combination of US 90, I-10, and Highway 171 to bridge the distance between your starting point and final destination. The road personality shifts from the initial highway stretches to a more focused transit experience, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 81.7 miles on US 90. While the drive is primarily a highway-focused grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the journey moving at a consistent speed. You won't find many technical local roads here, as the route is designed for moving you quickly through the Southeast landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 81.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 90 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 218.9 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: near the start (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 127.1 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 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.
5
114.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
127.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
LA 92-1 / Young Street
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street
Navigation decision point
5
128.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
128.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m 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 | 81.7 mi | 1h 28m |
| I 10 | 68.3 mi | 1h 13m |
| Highway 171 | 37.5 mi | 43m |
| West Main Street | 7 mi | 11m |
| Martin Luther King Highway | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Southwest Evangeline Thruway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| North University Avenue | 4 mi | 7m |
| West 1st Street | 2.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 90
— 81.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeRidder, LA and Houma, 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
38 mi
·
43 min
·
Highway 171
4
Continue on US 171
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Martin Luther King Highway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
7
Merge onto I 10
68 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 10
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward LA 182
9
Keep slight right at fork
306 ft
·
7 sec
10
Turn slight right onto North University Avenue
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
North University Avenue
11
Merge onto US 90; LA 182
506 ft
·
7 sec
·
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
12
Continue on US 90; LA 182
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
13
Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Morgan Avenue
14
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
15
Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Fairfield Drive
16
Turn left onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
St Etienne Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Young Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
US 90
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
25
Keep slight right at fork
394 ft
·
9 sec
26
Turn straight onto LA 24
7.0 mi
·
11 min
·
West Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn right onto LA 312
198 ft
·
10 sec
·
Lafayette Street
28
Turn left onto School Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
School Street
29
Arrive at destination
School Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs during the 4-hour and 18-minute transit. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic build-up on the busier interstate sections of the route. Since you are looking at a $33 fuel budget, it is wise to check your tank before merging onto the longer 81.7-mile stretch on US 90 to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station mid-transit. Flexibility is a major advantage on this trip, so feel free to adjust your single stop based on your energy levels rather than a rigid schedule. Keep a close eye on your GPS when transitioning between Highway 171 and the interstate to ensure you stay on the most efficient path.
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 109.5 miles from DeRidder, LA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.5 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houma, 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 218.9 miles and 4h 18m.
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 US 90 for about 81.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.5 mi from DeRidder, LA · 2h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 109.5 miles from DeRidder, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.7 miles.
Arriving in Houma, LA
The final approach into Houma, 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 Houma, 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
$33.46 one way
$66.93 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $36.70 | $73.41 |
| premium | $4.61 | $39.73 | $79.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.63 | $97.26 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.32
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(4.6 mi)
$0.32
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
$33
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.7 | 0 | $22.98 | $10.51 |
| Efficient EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.15 | $8.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.6 | 1 | $30.65 | $14.01 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Houma, LA
Afternoon in Houma on Sunday
Local time
1:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
65°F
Newton, TX
109 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
19 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
4h 18m 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 DeRidder, LA to Houma, LA covers 218.9 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 90, I 10, Highway 171. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.5 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 $33.46 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 23 significant decision points across 218.9 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: near the start (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 127.1 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from DeRidder, LA to Houma, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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