Origin
Kaplan, LA
Afternoon in Kaplan on Sunday
Local time
1:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
Photo: Jesus Alfonso
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto US 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Keep slight right at fork toward Causeway Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Kaplan, LA to Metairie, LA, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.
New Orleans
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Kaplan, LA and Metairie, LA.
Start on LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Turn straight onto LA 14
Continue on LA 14
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 90
Take the exit
Continue on I 310
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto North Causeway Boulevard
Turn left onto 46th Street
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Turn left onto 47th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before US 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$23.44 one way
$46.87 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Kaplan on Sunday
Local time
1:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Metairie on Sunday
Local time
1:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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