Origin
Houma, LA
Afternoon in Houma on Thursday
Local time
2:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houma, LA to Ouachita Parish, LA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
287.6 mi
463 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 25m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houma, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Ouachita Parish, LA
Vika Glitter
Trip Overview
The drive from Houma, LA to Ouachita Parish, LA covers 287.6 miles and takes about 5h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Monroe Highway, Raceland-M C Express, Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.43 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
143.8 miles from Houma, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 287.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 37m drive with frequent turns across 287.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Monroe Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 82.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near LA 24 / Park Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 287.6 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 0.2 miles (LA 24 / Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 190.1 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
LA 24 / Park Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto LA 24 / Park Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
190.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
194.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
194.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
6
284.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward LA 34 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward LA 34 South
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Houma, LA to Ouachita Parish, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
194.7 mi in
|
~3h 44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Highway | 82.5 mi | 1h 36m |
| Raceland-M C Express | 82.2 mi | 1h 29m |
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 76.1 mi | 1h 17m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Park Avenue | 7.4 mi | 14m |
| US 165 Business | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| Southeast Evangeline Thruway | 6 mi | 9m |
| US 167 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houma, LA and Ouachita Parish, LA.
1
Start on School Street
47 ft
·
7 sec
·
School Street
2
Turn left onto LA 182
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Barrow Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto LA 24
7.4 mi
·
14 min
·
Park Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left
358 ft
·
15 sec
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
6
Merge onto US 90
82 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Raceland-M C Express
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
12
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Young Street
13
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Young Street
14
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
St Etienne Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Fairfield Drive
16
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
17
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Morgan Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
19
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft
·
7 sec
20
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
21
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
22
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
23
Continue on I 49; US 167
76 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
24
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
28
Merge onto US 165
83 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Monroe Highway
29
Turn straight onto US 165 Business
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
US 165 Business
30
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
31
Merge onto I 20
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20
32
Take the exit
373 ft
·
9 sec
Toward LA 34
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward LA 34 South
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward LA 34 South
35
Turn straight onto LA 34
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Stella Street
36
Continue on LA 34
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Jonesboro Road
37
Continue on LA 34
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Jonesboro Road
38
Arrive at destination
LA 34
Trip Plan
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 143.8 miles from Houma, LA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 63 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.8 miles or 2h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ouachita Parish, 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 287.6 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143.8 mi from Houma, LA · 2h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143.8 miles from Houma, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Monroe Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.5 miles.
Arriving in Ouachita Parish, LA
The final approach into Ouachita Parish, 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 Ouachita Parish, 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
$43.43 one way
$86.87 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $47.68 | $95.36 |
| premium | $4.56 | $51.62 | $103.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.50 | $127.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)
$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)
$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.20 | $13.80 |
| Efficient EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115 | 1 | $40.26 | $18.41 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Destination
Ouachita Parish, LA
Afternoon in Ouachita Parish on Thursday
Local time
2:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
144 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
12 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
5h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Houma, LA to Ouachita Parish, LA covers 287.6 miles and takes about 5h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Monroe Highway, Raceland-M C Express, Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143.8 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 $43.43 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 287.6 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 0.2 miles (LA 24 / Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 190.1 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Houma, LA to Ouachita Parish, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
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