The drive from Gretna, LA to Shreveport, LA covers 330.9 miles and takes about 6h 9m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Pontchartrain Expressway, State Route 1 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.97 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
165.4 miles from Gretna, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 330.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Gretna, LA to Shreveport, LA covers 330.9 miles and takes about 6h 9m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 186.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Evergreen Drive.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 330.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Evergreen Drive): Navigation decision point; at 84.3 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These 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
6
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
88.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
6
327.9 mi into trip|~6h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
186.3 mi
3h 10m
Pontchartrain Expressway
80.6 mi
1h 32m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
I 10
3.9 mi
4m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Westbank Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Caddo Street
0.9 mi
2m
Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna, LA and Shreveport, 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 left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
15
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
17
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
18
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
20
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
21
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.4 miles from Gretna, LA, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 73 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.4 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shreveport, 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 330.9 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Gretna, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 186.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 165.4 mi from Gretna, LA
· 3h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 165.4 miles from Gretna, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.3 miles.
Arriving in Shreveport, LA
The final approach into Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 251.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.97 one way
$99.95 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$54.86
$109.72
premium
$4.56
$59.39
$118.79
diesel
$5.61
$73.06
$146.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.3
1
$34.74
$15.88
Efficient EV
82.7
0
$28.95
$13.24
EV Truck/SUV
132.4
1
$46.33
$21.18
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Gretna, LA
Evening
in Gretna on Friday
Local time
7:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Evening
in Shreveport on Friday
Local time
7:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
165 mi in
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
7 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
6h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Shreveport, LA covers 330.9 miles and takes about 6h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Pontchartrain Expressway, State Route 1. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 165.4 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 $49.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 330.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Evergreen Drive): Navigation decision point; at 84.3 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gretna, LA to Shreveport, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
