Origin
Gretna, LA
Afternoon in Gretna on Sunday
Local time
3:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gretna, LA to New Orleans, LA
Drive Time
12m
Distance
6.8 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 11m
★
6 AM
0h 12m
8 AM
0h 15m
10 AM
0h 13m
12 PM
0h 13m
3 PM
0h 13m
5 PM
0h 14m
8 PM
0h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gretna, LA
Maive & Nahuel Fotografía
Trip Overview
Crossing from Gretna to New Orleans is a quick 6.8-mile journey that typically takes about 12 minutes to complete. Because this is a very short trip within the Southeast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via 11th Street, Evergreen Drive, and the Westbank Expressway to reach your destination. With a fuel cost of just $1, this route is incredibly budget-friendly for any traveler. It functions more as a local transit link than a traditional road trip, making it an efficient way to connect between these two Louisiana locations.
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
3.4 miles from Gretna, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate through local streets, meaning there is no long, uninterrupted stretch like the 0 miles noted on 11th Street. The character of the road remains consistent throughout the 12-minute duration, favoring frequent turns over straightaways. Behind the wheel, you should stay alert for shifting traffic patterns common in these urban settings. It is a straightforward, technical drive that requires your full attention as you transition between the two areas.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
11th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Gretna, LA to New Orleans, LA is easy. At 12m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Gretna, LA to New Orleans, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 11th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Evergreen Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Westbank Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 90 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Crescent City Connection | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pontchartrain Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 90 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Claiborne Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
11th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna, LA and New Orleans, LA.
1
Start on Richard Street
171 ft
·
13 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 the end of the road, turn left onto Westbank Expressway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Westbank Expressway
5
Take the ramp straight toward US 90 Business East
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 90 Business East
6
Merge slight left onto Westbank Expressway
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Westbank Expressway
7
Continue on Crescent City Connection
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Crescent City Connection
8
Continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Pontchartrain Expressway
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 90 East: Claiborne Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 90 East: Claiborne Avenue
10
Turn slight right onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Claiborne Avenue
11
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Tulane Avenue
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip is only 6.8 miles, you have significant flexibility in your departure time, allowing you to plan around local traffic patterns. You will not need to factor in stops for this brief transit, as the short duration makes a direct run the most logical approach. Keep in mind that because this is a purely local route, your fuel consumption will be minimal, costing roughly $1. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the turn-heavy layout of the local roads before you head out. This preparation will ensure you navigate the transitions between 11th Street and the Westbank Expressway with ease.
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 3.4 miles from Gretna, LA, or about 6m into the drive.
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 6.8 miles or 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.4 miles or 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, 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.
+
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 Gretna, LA
This is one driving day of about 6.8 miles and 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gretna, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.4 mi from Gretna, LA · 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
3 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 6.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.4 miles from Gretna, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New Orleans, LA
The final approach into New Orleans, 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 New Orleans, 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
$1.04 one way
$2.08 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $1.14 | $2.28 |
| premium | $4.61 | $1.23 | $2.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.51 | $3.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2 | 0 | $0.71 | $0.33 |
| Efficient EV | 1.7 | 0 | $0.60 | $0.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.95 | $0.44 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
New Orleans, LA
Afternoon in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
3:58 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
12m 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 New Orleans, LA covers 6.8 miles and takes about 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 11th Street, Evergreen Drive, Westbank Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.4 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 $1.04 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 Gretna, LA to New Orleans, LA is easy. At 12m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Gretna, LA to New Orleans, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Gretna, LA to New Orleans, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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