Origin
Lafayette, LA
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lafayette, LA to Jonesboro, LA
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
159.7 mi
257 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lafayette to Jonesboro covers 159.7 miles of Louisiana landscape, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 4 minutes. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you should plan on this being a dedicated one-day trip. Budgeting approximately $22 for fuel will get you from the Southeast region to your destination comfortably. Since the drive relies on local roads like Rue Jefferson, Jefferson Boulevard, and the Northeast Evangeline Thruway, you won't be dealing with high-speed highway monotony. It is a straightforward trek that works perfectly for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
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
79.8 miles from Lafayette, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect an engaging, hands-on driving experience as this route features zero highway miles, focusing instead on local navigation. You will spend your time navigating through various turns along Rue Jefferson, Jefferson Boulevard, and the Northeast Evangeline Thruway. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches—the longest stretch on Rue Jefferson is 0 miles—this drive requires your full attention behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by its turn-heavy nature, making it feel less like a passive cruise and more like a deliberate, active journey through the state. Prepare for a steady pace as you transition between these local thoroughfares throughout the 159.7-mile trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Rue Jefferson is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Lafayette, LA to Jonesboro, LA is easy. At 3h 4m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lafayette, LA to Jonesboro, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Rue Jefferson | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jefferson Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Evangeline Thruway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Charles I | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 167 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Chatham Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Rue Jefferson
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, LA and Jonesboro, LA.
1
Start on Rue Vermilion Ouest
335 ft
·
22 sec
·
Rue Vermilion Ouest
2
Turn left onto Rue Jefferson
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Rue Jefferson
3
Continue on Jefferson Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Jefferson Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Northeast Evangeline Thruway
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
5
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
6
Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
8
Keep slight left to continue on US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
72 mi
·
1 hr 30 min
·
US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
9
Turn left onto East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Main Street
10
Continue on Chatham Highway
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Chatham Highway
11
Turn right onto Allen Avenue
108 ft
·
2 sec
·
Allen Avenue
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
When planning your departure, account for the fact that this is a 3-hour and 4-minute drive conducted entirely on local roads. Since you are limited to just one stop, try to time your break strategically to maximize your comfort during the 159.7-mile transit. Given the turn-heavy profile of the route, stay alert for directional changes rather than relying on cruise control. Keep your $22 fuel budget in mind when selecting your refueling point, as local roads may offer different pricing than major interstate corridors. Flexibility is your best asset on this route, so leave early enough to handle the frequent turns and local traffic signals without feeling rushed.
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 79.8 miles from Lafayette, LA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.8 miles or 1h 32m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jonesboro, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, LA
This is one driving day of about 159.7 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lafayette, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.8 mi from Lafayette, LA · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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
Arriving in Jonesboro, LA
The final approach into Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, 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
$24.41 one way
$48.83 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $26.78 | $53.56 |
| premium | $4.61 | $28.98 | $57.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.48 | $70.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.77 | $7.67 |
| Efficient EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.97 | $6.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.9 | 0 | $22.36 | $10.22 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Jonesboro, LA
Afternoon in Jonesboro on Sunday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
4 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
3h 4m 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 Lafayette, LA to Jonesboro, LA covers 159.7 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Rue Jefferson, Jefferson Boulevard, Northeast Evangeline Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.8 miles from Lafayette, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.41 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.
The drive from Lafayette, LA to Jonesboro, LA is easy. At 3h 4m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lafayette, LA to Jonesboro, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Lafayette, LA to Jonesboro, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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