Trip from Kaplan, LA to Metairie, LA

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

153.3 mi

247 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

Downtown Metairie, LA, LA

Photo: Jesus Alfonso

Trip Overview

Traveling from Kaplan to Metairie covers 153.3 miles, making for a straightforward trek across Southeast Louisiana. You can expect the journey to take approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes, which is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $23, it is an affordable route that doesn't require an overnight stay. Since both cities are located within the same region, you will experience a consistent cultural landscape throughout the drive. This highway-focused path is ideal if you are looking to get from point A to point B efficiently without unnecessary detours.

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

76.6 miles from Kaplan, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily reliant on major corridors, with 86% of the mileage consisting of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating US 90, which features a substantial 105-mile uninterrupted stretch that dictates the pace of your journey. As you transition onto I-310 and Veterans Memorial Drive, the character of the road shifts from open highway to the more structured infrastructure approaching the Metairie area. Expect a steady, focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic bypasses. It is a functional route designed for those who prefer consistent speeds and predictable road conditions.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 105 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 90 and Veterans Memorial Drive. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 27.4 miles in near US 90.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.3 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 27.4 miles (US 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
27.4 mi into trip | ~41m in | US 90

Merge onto US 90

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
132.4 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in

Take the exit toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonvil...
6
143.7 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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
151.9 mi into trip | ~3h 2m 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
152.1 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Causeway Boulevard South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Causeway Boulevard South

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Kaplan, LA to Metairie, LA, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.

New Orleans

132.4 mi in | ~2h 39m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 90 105 mi 1h 58m
Veterans Memorial Drive 13.1 mi 19m
I 310 11.1 mi 12m
LA 14 8.6 mi 13m
I 10 7.5 mi 9m
West Summers Drive 1.5 mi 2m
Charity Street 1.5 mi 2m
Veteran Memorial Drive 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 90 — 105 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kaplan, LA and Metairie, LA.

1

Start on LA 14

0.9 mi · 1 min · East 1st Street
2

Continue on LA 14

7.0 mi · 10 min · Veterans Memorial Drive
3

Continue on LA 14

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Summers Drive
4

Continue on LA 14

2.0 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Drive
5

Continue on LA 14

1.5 mi · 2 min · Charity Street
6

Continue on LA 14

2.4 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Drive
7

Continue on LA 14

0.5 mi · 47 sec · East Conrad Street
8

Continue on LA 14

1.0 mi · 1 min · Veterans Memorial Drive
9

Continue on LA 14

0.9 mi · 1 min · Veteran Memorial Drive
10

Turn straight onto LA 14

0.7 mi · 59 sec · Veterans Memorial Drive
11

Continue on LA 14

8.6 mi · 13 min · LA 14
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
13

Merge onto US 90

105 mi · 1 hr 58 min · US 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
15

Continue on I 310

11 mi · 12 min · I 310
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 1A Toward I 10 East: New Orleans
17

Merge onto I 10

7.5 mi · 9 min · I 10
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Exit 228 Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 55 sec
Toward Causeway Boulevard South Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto North Causeway Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Causeway Boulevard
Use the none lane.
21

Turn left onto 46th Street

88 ft · 5 sec · 46th Street
22

Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard

285 ft · 17 sec · North Causeway Boulevard
23

Turn left onto 47th Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · 47th Street
24

Arrive at destination

Fagot Avenue

Trip Plan

Because this route is manageable in a single stint, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the three-hour duration and keep your focus sharp behind the wheel. Given that your fuel costs will hover around $23, filling up before you leave Kaplan can help you avoid potential price fluctuations on the main highways. Since you are spending most of your time on US 90, keep a close watch on your speed as you transition through different zones. Taking advantage of that single planned stop will ensure you arrive in Metairie refreshed and ready for your destination.

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 76.6 miles from Kaplan, LA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.6 miles or 1h 36m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kaplan, 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 Kaplan, LA

This is one driving day of about 153.3 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kaplan, 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 US 90 for about 105 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.6 mi from Kaplan, LA · 1h 36m into the drive

Downtown New Iberia, LA, LA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Iberia, LA

77 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

Houma, LA

Fuel and coffee

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

Houma, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.6 miles from Kaplan, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.

Arriving in Metairie, LA

The final approach into Metairie, 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 Metairie, 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

$23.44 one way

$46.87 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $25.70 $51.41
premium $4.61 $27.82 $55.65
diesel $5.64 $34.06 $68.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46 0 $16.10 $7.36
Efficient EV 38.3 0 $13.41 $6.13
EV Truck/SUV 61.3 0 $21.46 $9.81

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Kaplan, LA

Afternoon in Kaplan on Sunday

Local time

1:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Metairie, LA

Afternoon in Metairie on Sunday

Local time

1:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°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

17 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

3h 6m 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 Kaplan, LA to Metairie, LA covers 153.3 miles and takes about 3h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 90, Veterans Memorial Drive, I 310. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.6 miles from Kaplan, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.44 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.4 miles (US 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Kaplan, LA to Metairie, LA, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.

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