Origin
Lafayette, LA
Afternoon in Lafayette on Tuesday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lafayette, LA to Monticello, LA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
232.2 mi
374 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 18m
★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monticello, LA
Sinitta Leunen
Trip Overview
The drive from Lafayette, LA to Monticello, LA covers 232.2 miles and takes about 4h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Monroe Highway, Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, I 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.07 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
116.1 miles from Lafayette, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 31m drive with frequent turns across 232.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Monroe Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 82.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 87.4 miles in near US 167.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 232.2 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 87.4 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
87.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pinevill...
6
87.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
92.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
92.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
5
181.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lafayette, LA and Monticello, LA, road signs point toward Monroe and Winnsboro.
Monroe
92.2 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Winnsboro
215.8 mi in
|
~4h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Highway | 82.5 mi | 1h 36m |
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 76.1 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 20 | 34.2 mi | 36m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| State Route 17 | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| US 165 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| US 167 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| State Route 877 | 4 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, LA and Monticello, 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
·
46 sec
·
Jefferson Boulevard
4
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
5
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
6
Continue on I 49; US 167
76 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
7
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
11
Merge onto US 165
83 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Monroe Highway
12
Turn straight onto US 165
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 165
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
15
Merge onto I 20
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 20
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward LA 17: Delhi, Winnsboro
17
Turn left onto LA 17
239 ft
·
9 sec
·
State Route 17
18
Continue on LA 17
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Street
19
Continue on LA 17
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
20
Continue on LA 17
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
State Route 17
21
Turn right onto LA 877
3.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Route 877
22
Continue on LA 577; LA 877
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 577
23
Keep slight left at fork onto LA 577; LA 877
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 577
24
Turn right onto LA 877
240 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Route 877
25
Arrive at destination
LA 877
Trip Plan
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 116.1 miles from Lafayette, LA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.1 miles or 2h 7m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, 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 232.2 miles and 4h 31m.
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.
The longest stretch is on Monroe Highway for about 82.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116.1 mi from Lafayette, LA · 2h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 116.1 miles from Lafayette, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Monroe Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.5 miles.
Arriving in Monticello, LA
The final approach into Monticello, 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 Monticello, 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
$35.07 one way
$70.14 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $38.50 | $76.99 |
| premium | $4.56 | $41.68 | $83.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.27 | $102.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
(1.9 mi)
$0.13
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.38 | $11.15 |
| Efficient EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.32 | $9.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.9 | 1 | $32.51 | $14.86 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Monticello, LA
Afternoon in Monticello on Tuesday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Garland, TX
116 mi in
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
18 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
4h 31m 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 Lafayette, LA to Monticello, LA covers 232.2 miles and takes about 4h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Monroe Highway, Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, I 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.1 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 $35.07 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 demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 232.2 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 87.4 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lafayette, LA and Monticello, LA, road signs point toward Monroe and Winnsboro.
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