Origin
Jackson, LA
Late night in Jackson on Monday
Local time
2:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jackson, LA to New Orleans, LA
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
118.1 mi
190 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jackson, LA
Patricia Bozan
Trip Overview
Traveling from Jackson to New Orleans covers 118.1 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trek across Southeast Louisiana, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to complete the journey. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-10, US-61, and LA-965, ensuring a direct path between these two points. Since the drive is manageable in a single session, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, giving you plenty of flexibility for your arrival time in the city.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Jackson, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself navigating a mix of local infrastructure and major interstates, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 75.2 miles along I-10. While the initial segments involve smaller roads like LA-965 and US-61, the transition to the interstate defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Expect a consistent, efficient pace that prioritizes speed over winding backroads. It is a functional commute that moves you quickly through the Southeast Louisiana landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 75.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 61. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.3 miles in near US 61; LA 10 / US 61.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 118.1 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 9.3 miles (US 61; LA 10 / US 61): Lane positioning matters here; at 38 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.2 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
9.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 61; LA 10 / US 61
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; LA 10 / US 61
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
38 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
113.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
116.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
117.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 75.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| US 61 | 20.1 mi | 24m |
| LA 965 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Pontchartrain Expressway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Charter Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| Tulane Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 75.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, LA and New Orleans, LA.
1
Start on LA 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Charter Street
2
Turn left onto LA 965
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
LA 965
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; LA 10
20 mi
·
24 min
·
US 61; LA 10
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
5
Continue on I 110
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 110
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 110
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 10
75 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 10
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Claiborne Avenue
13
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Tulane Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
Tulane Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 118.1-mile journey, consider your departure time carefully to avoid peak traffic as you approach New Orleans. Since the entire drive takes under two and a half hours, you have the advantage of being able to leave mid-morning or early afternoon without needing to plan for overnight stops. Fuel up before hitting the main stretches to keep your $18 budget on track. Because the route is dominated by I-10, stay alert for changing traffic patterns during the final 75.2-mile stretch. Embrace the simplicity of this short drive, as it offers the perfect balance of efficiency and convenience for a quick Louisiana excursion.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.1 miles from Jackson, LA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.2 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, LA
This is one driving day of about 118.1 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jackson, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 75.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.1 mi from Jackson, LA · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.1 miles from Jackson, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.2 miles.
Arriving in New Orleans, LA
The final approach into New Orleans, 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 New Orleans, 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
$18.05 one way
$36.11 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $19.80 | $39.61 |
| premium | $4.61 | $21.43 | $42.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.24 | $52.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.40 | $5.67 |
| Efficient EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.33 | $4.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.53 | $7.56 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
New Orleans, LA
Late night in New Orleans on Monday
Local time
2:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
3 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 21m 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 Jackson, LA to New Orleans, LA covers 118.1 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, US 61, LA 965. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.1 miles from Jackson, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.05 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 118.1 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 9.3 miles (US 61; LA 10 / US 61): Lane positioning matters here; at 38 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.2 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Jackson, LA to New Orleans, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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