Origin
Kaplan, LA
Afternoon in Kaplan on Sunday
Local time
4:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kaplan, LA to Shreveport, LA
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
241.6 mi
389 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 23m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 32m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 48m
8 PM
4h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shreveport, LA
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Kaplan to Shreveport covers 241.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel. This journey is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $37 on fuel for the trek, so budget accordingly before you head out. The route primarily utilizes Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Park Avenue, and the Veterans Memorial Expressway to navigate across Louisiana. Since both the starting point and the destination are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in familiar territory throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trek that works well for those looking to connect these two points efficiently.
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
120.8 miles from Kaplan, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 6% of the route comprised of major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local roads that offer a more grounded feel. The longest uninterrupted segment is a 197.8-mile stretch along the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the path relies heavily on local lanes, the drive maintains a consistent, technical pace. You will find that the road character changes significantly as you transition from the local turn-heavy sections onto the more structured expressway segments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 8.9 miles in near US 167 / Park Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 23m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.9 miles (US 167 / Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (Ambassador Caffery Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
8.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 167 / Park Avenue
Turn left onto US 167 / Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
23.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
Navigation decision point
4
32 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 49 North: Opelousas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 49 North: Opelousas
6
238.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m 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
4
240.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
|
LA 173 / Caddo Street
Turn right onto LA 173 / Caddo Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 197.8 mi | 3h 22m |
| Park Avenue | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| Veterans Memorial Drive | 7 mi | 10m |
| Johnston Street | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Ambassador Caffery Parkway | 5 mi | 8m |
| West Summers Drive | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Caddo Street | 0.9 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 Kaplan, LA and Shreveport, 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
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Summers Drive
4
Turn left onto US 167
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Park Avenue
5
Continue on US 167
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Johnston Street
6
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
7
Take the ramp
3.3 mi
·
3 min
8
Take the exit onto US 167
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 167
Toward I 49 North: Opelousas
9
Merge onto I 49; LA 182
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Continue on I 49; US 167
198 mi
·
3 hr 22 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
12
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pete Harris Drive
13
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Caddo Street
14
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
15
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Parkway
16
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Planning for this 241.6-mile trip is simple because the duration fits comfortably into a single day of travel. Since the route involves significant local driving, try to leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the more technical portions of the road. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $37 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local pricing at the pump. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your focus during the 197.8-mile stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as maintaining steady momentum there will make the rest of the navigation much easier.
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 120.8 miles from Kaplan, LA, or about 2h 16m 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 120.8 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 35m
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 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 241.6 miles and 4h 23m.
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 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 120.8 mi from Kaplan, LA · 2h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 120.8 miles from Kaplan, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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
$36.93 one way
$73.87 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $40.51 | $81.02 |
| premium | $4.61 | $43.85 | $87.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.68 | $107.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.37 | $11.60 |
| Efficient EV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.14 | $9.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.6 | 1 | $33.82 | $15.46 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Shreveport, LA
Afternoon in Shreveport on Sunday
Local time
4:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
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
4h 23m 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 Kaplan, LA to Shreveport, LA covers 241.6 miles and takes about 4h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Park Avenue, Veterans Memorial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.8 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 $36.93 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 straightforward 4h 23m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.9 miles (US 167 / Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (Ambassador Caffery Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Kaplan, LA to Shreveport, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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