Origin
DeRidder, LA
Afternoon in DeRidder on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from DeRidder, LA to New Orleans, LA
Drive Time
4h 42m
Distance
247.6 mi
398 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
DeRidder, LA
Miguel Cuenca
Trip Overview
Spanning 247.6 miles across Louisiana, this drive from DeRidder to New Orleans typically takes about 4 hours and 42 minutes. Because the total travel time is manageable, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $38 on fuel, making this a cost-effective trek between the western and southeastern parts of the state. You will primarily navigate via Highway 171, the Martin Luther King Highway, and I-10. This trip is straightforward and best suited for travelers looking to reach their destination efficiently while staying within the region.
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
123.8 miles from DeRidder, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 96% of your journey spent on highways, this trip is clearly focused on speed and directness rather than backroad exploration. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 197.6 miles on I-10. While the initial sections involve Highway 171 and the Martin Luther King Highway, the experience is largely defined by the interstate grind. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace as you transition from the quiet of DeRidder to the dense traffic patterns nearing New Orleans. It is a functional drive designed to get you from A to B with minimal deviation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 197.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Highway 171. You will hit about 9 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 247.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 45.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.7 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
45.6 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
242.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
|
I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
246.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
|
I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
246.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 197.6 mi | 3h 41m |
| Highway 171 | 37.5 mi | 43m |
| Martin Luther King Highway | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Pontchartrain Expressway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| West 1st Street | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| Tulane Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Claiborne Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Pine Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 197.6 mi, about 3h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeRidder, LA and New Orleans, 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
197 mi
·
3 hr 40 min
·
I 10
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Claiborne Avenue
12
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Tulane Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
Tulane Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion as you approach the metropolitan area of New Orleans. Since the route is a single-day trip, plan for at least one well-timed stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the nearly five-hour duration. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the long 197.6-mile I-10 stretch, as service intervals can vary significantly once you are locked into the interstate flow. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the relatively short duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports. Prioritize your comfort by breaking up the drive once, ensuring you arrive in the city feeling alert and ready for your destination.
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 123.8 miles from DeRidder, LA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.6 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.8 miles or 2h 22m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, 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 247.6 miles and 4h 42m.
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 I 10 for about 197.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.8 mi from DeRidder, LA · 2h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 123.8 miles from DeRidder, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 197.6 miles.
Arriving in New Orleans, LA
The final approach into New Orleans, 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 New Orleans, 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
$37.85 one way
$75.70 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $41.52 | $83.03 |
| premium | $4.61 | $44.94 | $89.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.01 | $110.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.3 | 0 | $26.00 | $11.88 |
| Efficient EV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.67 | $9.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99 | 1 | $34.66 | $15.85 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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
New Orleans, LA
Afternoon in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
68°F
Orange County, TX
124 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
18 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 42m 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 New Orleans, LA covers 247.6 miles and takes about 4h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Highway 171, Martin Luther King Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.8 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 $37.85 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 247.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 45.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.7 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from DeRidder, LA to New Orleans, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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