Origin
Hammond, LA
Afternoon in Hammond on Thursday
Local time
12:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hammond, LA to Alexandria, LA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
168.6 mi
271 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hammond, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Alexandria, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 168.6-mile drive from Hammond to Alexandria, Louisiana, is a manageable 3-hour and 13-minute journey, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, State Route 1, and West Florida Republic Parkway. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, this route offers a straightforward travel experience across the Southeast region. While you'll encounter one recommended stop, the drive is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. It’s a practical option for a quick transition within the state.
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
84.3 miles from Hammond, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 168.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 58% of it being on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 64.9-mile segment on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which provides a good amount of uninterrupted driving. The road's personality shifts between faster highway sections and potentially more local road segments as you progress toward Alexandria. Expect a varied pace, moving from quicker travel to more community-focused driving as you get closer to your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 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 64.9 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 2.1 miles in near I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 168.6 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 2.1 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
42.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
45.7 mi into trip
|
~51m 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
49.6 mi into trip
|
~56m 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
50 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 64.9 mi | 1h 5m |
| State Route 1 | 49 mi | 1h 2m |
| West Florida Republic Parkway | 40 mi | 43m |
| I 10 | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| US 51 Business | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North Oak Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Murray Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 64.9 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, LA and Alexandria, LA.
1
Start on West Charles Street
94 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Charles Street
2
Turn right onto North Oak Street
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
North Oak Street
3
Continue on US 51 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 51 Business
4
Turn right
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 12 West: Baton Rouge
5
Merge onto I 12
40 mi
·
43 min
·
West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
13
Merge onto I 49; US 167
65 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward M L King Drive, Downtown Alexandria
15
Continue on 10th Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
10th Street
16
Turn right onto Murray Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Murray Street
17
Arrive at destination
Murray Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 13-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning from Hammond allows ample time to reach Alexandria comfortably. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it’s wise to ensure your vehicle is fueled before departure, as the longest stretch without a break is nearly 65 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. Plan for your single recommended stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point. This is a short enough drive that you have flexibility, but being mindful of the longer highway segments will help you pace yourself effectively.
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 84.3 miles from Hammond, LA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.9 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 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.3 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hammond, 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 Hammond, LA
This is one driving day of about 168.6 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Hammond, 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 64.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.3 mi from Hammond, LA · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.3 miles from Hammond, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.9 miles.
Arriving in Alexandria, LA
The final approach into Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, 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
$25.46 one way
$50.93 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.26 | $60.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.22 | $74.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.70 | $8.09 |
| Efficient EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.75 | $6.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.60 | $10.79 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Alexandria, LA
Afternoon in Alexandria on Thursday
Local time
12:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
22 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
3h 13m 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 Hammond, LA to Alexandria, LA covers 168.6 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, State Route 1, West Florida Republic Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.3 miles from Hammond, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.46 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 168.6 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 2.1 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hammond, LA to Alexandria, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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