Origin
Greenwood, LA
Afternoon in Greenwood on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greenwood, LA to Lafayette, LA
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
219 mi
352 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Greenwood to Lafayette, expect a journey covering 219 miles that typically takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You should budget approximately $33 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Navigating through the Southeast region, you will primarily utilize the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, the Veterans Memorial Expressway, and the Inner Loop Expressway. It serves as a straightforward connection between these two Louisiana locales, making it an efficient choice for travelers who value a direct, no-fuss itinerary.
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
109.5 miles from Greenwood, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
Behind the wheel, you will find that this is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. While you spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 192.4 miles—on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, the route maintains a relatively low highway share of only 10 percent. This creates a distinct contrast between the long, sustained stretches on the main highway and the more technical, local sections that define the latter part of the journey. As you transition between these road types, prepare for a driving experience that shifts from steady cruising to more frequent steering adjustments. It is a practical route that favors local navigation over a monotonous interstate grind.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 192.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 219 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: at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
5
7.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 220 East, LA 3132 East: Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 220 East, LA 3132 East: Alexandria
5
7.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 3132 East: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward LA 3132 East: Alexandria
5
14.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 49: Shreveport, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49: Shreveport, Alexandria
5
14.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 49 South: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
4
218.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
Jefferson Boulevard
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Greenwood, LA to Lafayette, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Alexandria along the way.
Alexandria
14.7 mi in
|
~19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 192.4 mi | 3h 15m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| Inner Loop Expressway | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| I 20 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Northwest Evangeline Thruway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Greenwood Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Rue Jefferson | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Jefferson Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 192.4 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenwood, LA and Lafayette, LA.
1
Start on LA 169
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
Greenwood Springridge Road
2
Turn right onto US 79; US 80
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Greenwood Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
4
Merge onto I 20
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 20
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 220 East, LA 3132 East: Alexandria
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward LA 3132 East: Alexandria
7
Merge onto LA 3132
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Inner Loop Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 49: Shreveport, Alexandria
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
10
Merge onto I 49
192 mi
·
3 hr 15 min
·
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 49; US 167
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
12
Continue on I 49; LA 182
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
13
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Jefferson Boulevard
14
Continue on Rue Jefferson
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Rue Jefferson
15
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
335 ft
·
16 sec
·
Rue Vermilion Ouest
16
Arrive at destination
Rue Vermilion Ouest
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 50 minute drive, try to get an early start to avoid any potential congestion along the local segments. Since the route only requires one stop, plan your break strategically to maximize your efficiency during the longer 192.4-mile stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's specific efficiency and local prices. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, ensure your GPS is updated and ready to handle the transitions between the Veterans Memorial Expressway and the Inner Loop Expressway. Embrace the flexibility of this one-day trip, as it allows you to reach Lafayette without the stress of a multi-day itinerary.
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 Greenwood, LA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.4 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.5 miles or 1h 56m 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 7m
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 Greenwood, 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 Greenwood, LA
This is one driving day of about 219 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Greenwood, 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 Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 192.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.5 mi from Greenwood, LA · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 Greenwood, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 192.4 miles.
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.
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
$33.48 one way
$66.96 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $36.72 | $73.44 |
| premium | $4.61 | $39.75 | $79.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.65 | $97.31 |
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
$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 | $23.00 | $10.51 |
| Efficient EV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.16 | $8.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.6 | 1 | $30.66 | $14.02 |
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
Lafayette, LA
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
2:42 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
3 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 50m 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 Greenwood, LA to Lafayette, LA covers 219 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Veterans Memorial Expressway, Inner Loop Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.5 miles from Greenwood, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.48 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 219 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: at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Greenwood, LA to Lafayette, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Alexandria along the way.
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