Trip from Houma, LA to Shreveport, LA

Drive Time

5h 48m

Distance

314.5 mi

506 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Eddie O.

Trip Overview

Traveling from Houma to Shreveport covers 314.5 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays within the state of Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region toward the north, it is manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to complete the trek. While the route requires a fair amount of focus due to its turn-heavy nature, it is a straightforward path for those looking to reach their destination in one go. You will primarily navigate via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, the Raceland-M C Express, and the Veterans Memorial Expressway.

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

157.2 miles from Houma, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive that feels more like a technical local excursion than a simple highway cruise. With only 4% of the route consisting of major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating secondary roads and local corridors. The most significant portion of your journey occurs on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which accounts for a 197.8-mile stretch of the trip. Because the route is described as turn-heavy, you should be prepared for frequent adjustments and a more active driving experience than you would find on a standard interstate. The road conditions change as you transition away from the Southeast region, requiring your full attention behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 29 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 197.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 182 / Barrow Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 314.5 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 182 / Barrow Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (LA 24 / Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | LA 182 / Barrow Street

Turn left onto LA 182 / Barrow Street

Navigation decision point

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.

91.4 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

96.5 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

311.5 mi into trip | ~5h 42m 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	197.8 mi	3h 22m
Raceland-M C Express	82.2 mi	1h 29m
Veterans Memorial Expressway	10.2 mi	11m
Park Avenue	7.4 mi	14m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway	6 mi	9m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway	2.7 mi	3m
South Morgan Avenue	1.6 mi	2m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway	1.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway — 197.8 mi, about 3h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houma, LA and Shreveport, LA.

Start on School Street

47 ft · 7 sec · School Street

Turn left onto LA 182

0.2 mi · 46 sec · Barrow Street

At end of road, turn left onto LA 24

7.4 mi · 14 min · Park Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left

358 ft · 15 sec

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Merge onto US 90

82 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Raceland-M C Express

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.4 mi · 28 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Take the exit onto LA 92-1

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Young Street

Continue on LA 92-1

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Young Street

Turn right onto St Etienne Road

1.0 mi · 3 min · St Etienne Road

At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

0.1 mi · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive

Turn left onto LA 3073

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway

Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Morgan Avenue

Turn right onto US 90; LA 182

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Keep slight left at fork

158 ft · 7 sec

Turn left onto US 90; LA 182

2.5 mi · 2 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Continue on US 90; LA 182

6.0 mi · 9 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway

Continue on I 49; LA 182

8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Continue on I 49; US 167

198 mi · 3 hr 22 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street

Continue on Pete Harris Drive

0.8 mi · 1 min · Pete Harris Drive

Turn right onto LA 173

0.9 mi · 2 min · Caddo Street

At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway

Turn slight right onto River Parkway

68 ft · 1 sec · River Parkway

Arrive at destination

River Parkway

Trip Plan

Since this is a nearly six-hour commitment, planning your departure time is key to avoiding fatigue. You should factor in at least one planned stop during your 314.5-mile journey to stretch your legs and reset. Given the turn-heavy profile of the roads, keep a close watch on your navigation to ensure you remain on the correct path through local intersections. Because the total fuel cost is estimated at $48, it is wise to monitor your gas levels before entering the longer 197.8-mile stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. Maintaining a steady pace and staying alert on these local segments will help you arrive in Shreveport feeling refreshed rather than worn out.

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 157.2 miles from Houma, LA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.8 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 157.2 miles or 3h 4m 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 47m

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 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 314.5 miles and 5h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 197.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 157.2 mi from Houma, LA · 3h 4m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newton, TX

157 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

Baton Rouge, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jasper, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.2 miles from Houma, 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 197.8 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.08 one way

$96.16 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$52.73	$105.47
premium	$4.61	$57.08	$114.16
diesel	$5.64	$69.87	$139.74

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

$48

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94.4	1	$33.02	$15.10
Efficient EV	78.6	0	$27.52	$12.58
EV Truck/SUV	125.8	1	$44.03	$20.13

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Houma, LA

Afternoon in Houma on Sunday

Local time

1:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Shreveport, LA

Afternoon in Shreveport on Sunday

Local time

1:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

65°F

Newton, TX

157 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

1 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

5h 48m 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 Shreveport, LA covers 314.5 miles and takes about 5h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Raceland-M C Express, Veterans Memorial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 157.2 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 $48.08 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.

The route from Houma, LA to Shreveport, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Houma, LA to Shreveport, LA

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Shreveport, LA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Houma, LA

Shreveport, LA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 48m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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