Origin
Gretna, LA
Evening in Gretna on Wednesday
Local time
8:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gretna, LA to Baton Rouge, LA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
85.5 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gretna, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 85.5-mile drive from Gretna, LA to Baton Rouge, LA is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 41 minutes. Given its short duration and minimal stops, it's ideal as a single-day excursion, so you won't need to worry about an overnight split. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, making it an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of Louisiana. You'll primarily be on major expressways, so expect a consistent driving experience as you head towards the state capital.
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
42.7 miles from Gretna, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-dominated experience, with 98% of this route utilizing major roads. The journey unfolds primarily on the Pontchartrain Expressway and Westbank Expressway, with a significant portion of uninterrupted travel on the Pontchartrain Expressway stretching for 80.6 miles. This means you'll be in a consistent, high-speed environment for most of your drive. The Crescent City Connection will be your link between these primary arteries as you make your way out of the immediate New Orleans metro area and towards Baton Rouge.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pontchartrain Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 80.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pontchartrain Expressway and Westbank Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Evergreen Drive.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 41m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Evergreen Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (LA 23 / Westbank Expressway): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 90 BUS / Westbank Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Evergreen Drive
Turn right onto Evergreen Drive
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
LA 23 / Westbank Expressway
At end of road, turn left onto LA 23 / Westbank Expressway
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 90 BUS / Westbank Expressway
Merge onto US 90 BUS / Westbank Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
84.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
8
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center,...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pontchartrain Expressway | 80.6 mi | 1h 32m |
| Westbank Expressway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Crescent City Connection | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Government Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Evergreen Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 11th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Richard Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pontchartrain Expressway
— 80.6 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna, LA and Baton Rouge, LA.
1
Start on Richard Street
171 ft
·
12 sec
·
Richard Street
2
Turn left onto 11th Street
305 ft
·
15 sec
·
11th Street
3
Turn right onto Evergreen Drive
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Evergreen Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto LA 23
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Westbank Expressway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 90 Business East
6
Merge onto US 90 BUS
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Westbank Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on US 90 BUS
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Crescent City Connection
8
Continue on US 90 BUS
81 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Pontchartrain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 110
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 1A
Toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto LA 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Government Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
Government Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 41-minute drive, flexibility is your best friend. You can depart anytime, but leaving mid-morning might help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. With only 85.5 miles and a low fuel cost of $13, you won't need many fuel stops, but it's always wise to fill up before leaving Gretna to ensure a smooth journey. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you navigate the expressways, as congestion can sometimes extend further than anticipated on these major arteries.
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 42.7 miles from Gretna, LA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 51m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baton Rouge, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gretna, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gretna, LA
This is one driving day of about 85.5 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Gretna, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pontchartrain Expressway for about 80.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.7 mi from Gretna, LA · 51m 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Gretna, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pontchartrain Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.
Arriving in Baton Rouge, LA
The final approach into Baton Rouge, LA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.91 one way
$25.83 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.17 | $28.35 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.35 | $30.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.88 | $37.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.98 | $4.10 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.48 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.97 | $5.47 |
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
Baton Rouge, LA
Evening in Baton Rouge on Wednesday
Local time
8:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
4 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
1h 41m 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 Gretna, LA to Baton Rouge, LA covers 85.5 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pontchartrain Expressway, Westbank Expressway, Crescent City Connection. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.7 miles from Gretna, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.91 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 41m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Evergreen Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (LA 23 / Westbank Expressway): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 90 BUS / Westbank Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gretna, LA to Baton Rouge, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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