Origin
Gretna, LA
Evening in Gretna on Wednesday
Local time
8:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gretna, LA to Metairie, LA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
19m
Distance
10.7 mi
17 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 17m
★
6 AM
0h 19m
8 AM
0h 22m
10 AM
0h 20m
12 PM
0h 20m
3 PM
0h 20m
5 PM
0h 22m
8 PM
0h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gretna, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Metairie, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 10.7-mile drive from Gretna, LA to Metairie, LA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking only about 19 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via the Pontchartrain Expressway and Westbank Expressway, with a segment on Airline Drive. With a projected fuel cost of just $2, this is a very economical journey. The drive is entirely within the Southeast region of Louisiana, offering a straightforward connection between these two nearby locales. Given its brevity, it's an ideal route for a quick transfer or a short excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
5.4 miles from Gretna, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 51% of it being highway driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 2.9 miles along the Pontchartrain Expressway, offering a period of consistent speed. While much of the drive involves expressway travel, you'll also experience segments on local roads like Airline Drive, which may present more varied traffic conditions and potential for quicker transitions. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous highway grind for the entire journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 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 2.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Evergreen Drive.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 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 10 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
6.7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward US 61: Airline Drive, Tulane Avenue, Carrollton Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 232
Toward US 61: Airline Drive, Tulane Avenue, Car...
7
6.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 61 North: Airline Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 61 North: Airline Drive
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pontchartrain Expressway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Westbank Expressway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Airline Drive | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Crescent City Connection | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Labarre Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Labarre Drive | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Evergreen Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 11th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pontchartrain Expressway
— 2.9 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna, LA and Metairie, 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
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Pontchartrain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 232
Toward US 61: Airline Drive, Tulane Avenue, Carrollton Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 61 North: Airline Drive
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on US 61
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Airline Drive
12
Take the exit
269 ft
·
8 sec
13
Turn right onto North Labarre Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Labarre Road
14
Continue on Labarre Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Labarre Drive
15
Turn left onto Fagot Avenue
269 ft
·
11 sec
·
Fagot Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Fagot Avenue
Trip Plan
For this brief 10.7-mile trip, the best advice is to be flexible with your departure time, as the 19-minute duration allows for easy adjustment around traffic. Since there are no recommended stops and the fuel cost is a minimal $2, you can focus on the driving itself. Keep an eye on signage as you transition between the Pontchartrain Expressway, Westbank Expressway, and Airline Drive to ensure you stay on the most direct path. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the potential for congestion on Airline Drive, as it's a busy artery connecting several areas.
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 5.4 miles from Gretna, LA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2.9 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 10.7 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.4 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Gretna, LA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gretna, LA
This is one driving day of about 10.7 miles and 19m.
At 10.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Pontchartrain Expressway for about 2.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.4 mi from Gretna, LA · 8m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.4 miles from Gretna, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Metairie, LA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Metairie, LA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.62 one way
$3.23 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $1.77 | $3.55 |
| premium | $4.56 | $1.92 | $3.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.36 | $4.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.12 | $0.51 |
| Efficient EV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.94 | $0.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.68 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Metairie, LA
Evening in Metairie on Wednesday
Local time
8:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
19m 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 Metairie, LA covers 10.7 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pontchartrain Expressway, Westbank Expressway, Airline Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.4 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 $1.62 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 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 Metairie, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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