Origin
Donaldsonville, LA
Afternoon in Donaldsonville on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Donaldsonville, LA to Lafayette, LA
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
85.9 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Donaldsonville, LA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Spanning 85.9 miles, this drive from Donaldsonville to Lafayette is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly way to move across Southeast Louisiana. Both your starting point and destination sit within the same region, ensuring the cultural transition remains consistent throughout the drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable connection between these two points without requiring an extensive time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
42.9 miles from Donaldsonville, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of Highway 1 and Highway 1 North before transitioning onto I-10, which constitutes the bulk of the journey. Prepare for a long, sustained stretch of driving, as the route features a 50.2-mile segment exclusively on I-10. This creates a predictable, fast-paced rhythm that contrasts with the smaller local roads you traverse at the beginning of the trip. Behind the wheel, you will find that the personality of the road shifts from regional highway travel to a more streamlined interstate experience, allowing for efficient progress toward your destination.
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 50.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Highway 1 North. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 32.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Donaldsonville, LA to Lafayette, LA is easy. At 1h 46m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 32.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 32.5 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
32.1 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Lafayette
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 10 West: Lafayette
5
32.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
82.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 167: Morgan City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 167: Morgan City
4
85.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
Jefferson Boulevard
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
85.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
Rue Vermilion Ouest
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 50.2 mi | 57m |
| Highway 1 North | 18.5 mi | 21m |
| Highway 1 | 11.6 mi | 17m |
| Northwest Evangeline Thruway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Church Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West 10th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Rue Jefferson | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 50.2 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Donaldsonville, LA and Lafayette, LA.
1
Start on LA 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 10th Street
2
Continue on LA 1
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Highway 1 North
3
Continue on LA 1
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
4
Continue on LA 1
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Highway 1
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 10 West: Lafayette
6
Merge onto I 10
50 mi
·
57 min
·
I 10
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 167: Morgan City
8
Merge onto I 49
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Continue on I 49; LA 182
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
10
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Jefferson Boulevard
11
Continue on Rue Jefferson
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Rue Jefferson
12
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
335 ft
·
16 sec
·
Rue Vermilion Ouest
13
Arrive at destination
Rue Vermilion Ouest
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for mid-morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid peak traffic. You won't need to worry about scheduling formal stops along the way given the short duration, but having your $13 fuel budget ready ensures you can fill up before or after the drive without stress. Pay close attention to your transition from Highway 1 onto I-10, as this is where the character of the road changes significantly. Because the longest stretch of the drive covers over 50 miles of interstate, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained highway speeds before you merge. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on a smooth, direct arrival in Lafayette.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.9 miles from Donaldsonville, LA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.9 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Donaldsonville, 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 Donaldsonville, LA
This is one driving day of about 85.9 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Donaldsonville, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 50.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.9 mi from Donaldsonville, LA · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 42.9 miles from Donaldsonville, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lafayette, LA
The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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
$13.13 one way
$26.26 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.40 | $28.81 |
| premium | $4.61 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.08 | $38.17 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(1.9 mi)
$0.13
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
$13
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.02 | $4.12 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.03 | $5.50 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Lafayette, LA
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
1h 46m 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 Donaldsonville, LA to Lafayette, LA covers 85.9 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Highway 1 North, Highway 1. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.9 miles from Donaldsonville, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.13 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Donaldsonville, LA to Lafayette, LA is easy. At 1h 46m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 32.5 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Donaldsonville, LA to Lafayette, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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