Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
152.6 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Photo: Jesus Alfonso
The drive from DeRidder, LA to Central, LA covers 152.6 miles and takes about 2h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 1st Street, Highway 171, 8th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.73 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
76.3 miles from DeRidder, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 59m drive with frequent turns across 152.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 171 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 8th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 3rd Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Basile Eunice Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Landry Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Vine Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| LA 67 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between DeRidder, LA and Central, LA.
Start on South Pine Street
Turn right onto West 1st Street
Continue on Highway 171
Take the exit slight right
At the end of the road, turn left
Turn right onto 8th Street
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
Continue on Basile Eunice Highway
Continue on West Landry Street
Turn slight right onto West Vine Street
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton
Keep slight left to continue on LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton
Turn straight onto Plank Road
Turn right onto Hooper Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 76.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central, LA than in the middle of the route.
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 152.6 miles and 2h 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.3 mi from DeRidder, LA · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.3 miles from DeRidder, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$20.73 one way
$41.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $23.13 | $46.26 |
| premium | $4.15 | $24.93 | $49.87 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $22.53 | $45.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.02 | $7.32 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.35 | $6.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61 | 0 | $21.36 | $9.77 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in DeRidder on Saturday
Local time
10:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Central on Saturday
Local time
10:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Newton, TX
76 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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