Houma to Bogalusa is 112.9 miles and takes about 2h 30m via North Causeway Boulevard and Highway 21, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on main roads that make for a predictable journey. Given the relatively short distance and time, this route is best suited for a single day trip, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
56.4 miles from Houma, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Causeway Boulevard
32.4 mi
40m
Highway 21
23.6 mi
35m
US 90
22.1 mi
28m
I 310
11.1 mi
12m
New Orleans Boulevard
7.7 mi
11m
I 10
7.5 mi
9m
Military Road
4 mi
5m
US 190
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Causeway Boulevard
— 32.4 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houma, LA and Bogalusa, LA.
1
Start on School Street
47 ft·7 sec·School Street
2
Turn left onto LA 182
0.2 mi·28 sec·Barrow Street
3
Turn right onto LA 24; LA 182
0.2 mi·35 sec·Main Street
4
Turn left onto LA 182
319 ft·11 sec·New Orleans Bridge
5
Continue on LA 182
1.2 mi·2 min·New Orleans Boulevard
6
Enter roundabout onto LA 182
88 ft·1 sec·New Orleans Boulevard
7
Continue on LA 182
6.5 mi·8 min·New Orleans Boulevard
8
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 90 East: New Orleans
9
Merge onto US 90
22 mi·28 min·US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
11
Continue on I 310
11 mi·12 min·I 310
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 10 East: New Orleans
13
Merge onto I 10
7.5 mi·9 min·I 10
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 228Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Causeway Boulevard North, MandevilleUse the right lane.
17
Merge onto North Causeway Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·North Causeway Boulevard
18
Keep slight right at fork onto North Causeway Boulevard
32 mi·38 min·North Causeway Boulevard
19
Continue on US 190
0.8 mi·1 min·US 190
20
Continue on US 190 Business
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 190 Business
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn right onto LA 21
4.0 mi·5 min·Military Road
22
Continue on LA 21
11 mi·16 min·Highway 21
23
At end of road, turn left onto LA 21
12 mi·18 min·Highway 21
24
Continue on LA 21
0.8 mi·1 min·North Columbia Street
25
Arrive at destination
LA 21
Trip Plan
With a driving time of around 2.5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can leave whenever it suits your schedule. Consider starting in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan any unscheduled stops along the way. There's only one recommended stop, suggesting you won't need to break up the drive extensively. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is low at $15, it’s always wise to top off before departing Houma, as fuel availability can vary, particularly on less-traveled highway segments.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 56.4 miles from Houma, LA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 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 25 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.4 miles or 1h 13m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bogalusa, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Houma, 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 Houma, LA
This is one driving day of about 112.9 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Houma, 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 North Causeway Boulevard for about 32.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 50.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 182 / Barrow Street
Turn left onto LA 182 / Barrow Street
Navigation decision point
6
42.1 mi into trip|~54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 10 East: New Orleans
8
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard
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 228
Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel...
7
50.4 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Causeway Boulevard North, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Causeway Boulevard North, Mandeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Causeway Boulevard North, Mandeville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.33 one way
$30.67 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$17.11
$34.23
premium
$4.15
$18.45
$36.89
diesel
$3.75
$16.67
$33.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.9
0
$11.85
$5.42
Efficient EV
28.2
0
$9.88
$4.52
EV Truck/SUV
45.2
0
$15.81
$7.23
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Houma, LA
Afternoon
in Houma on Saturday
Local time
1:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bogalusa, LA
Afternoon
in Bogalusa on Saturday
Local time
1:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°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
5 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
2h 30m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 50.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 58% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on North Causeway Boulevard, including the longest continuous segment of 32.4 miles, which likely offers a more open-road feel. As you transition to roads like Highway 21 and US 90, expect the character to shift, potentially incorporating more local traffic and varied speed limits. The overall drive isn't a monotonous interstate crawl but rather a blend of faster-paced highway travel and sections that might feel more like a typical county road.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Causeway Boulevard is the longest continuous segment at about 32.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near LA 182 / Barrow Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 112.9 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: near the start (LA 182 / Barrow Street): Navigation decision point; at 42.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Houma, LA and Bogalusa, LA, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mandeville and Causeway Boulevard North.
New Orleans
30.8 mi in|~41m
Mandeville
50.3 mi in|~1h 4m
Causeway Boulevard North
50.4 mi in|~1h 4m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 112.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Houma, LA to Bogalusa, LA covers 112.9 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Causeway Boulevard, Highway 21, US 90. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.4 miles from Houma, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.33 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.
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 17 significant decision points across 112.9 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: near the start (LA 182 / Barrow Street): Navigation decision point; at 42.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Houma, LA and Bogalusa, LA, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mandeville and Causeway Boulevard North.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
