Origin
Lake Providence, LA
Afternoon in Lake Providence on Wednesday
Local time
4:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Providence, LA to Bossier City, LA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
171.3 mi
276 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bossier City, LA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Lake Providence, LA to Bossier City, LA covers 171.3 miles and takes about 3h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, Tensas Bayou Road, State Route 17 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 133.4 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.87 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
85.6 miles from Lake Providence, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 29m highway drive covering 171.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and Tensas Bayou Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 133.4 miles on I 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 133.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Tensas Bayou Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Lake Providence, LA to Bossier City, LA is easy. At 3h 29m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road): Navigation decision point; at 170.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road
Turn left onto LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road
Navigation decision point
4
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road
At end of road, turn right onto LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road
Navigation decision point
4
170.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward Traffic Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Traffic Street
4
171.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
|
Traffic Street
Turn right onto Traffic Street
Navigation decision point
5
171.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
|
Monroe Street
Turn left onto Monroe Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 133.4 mi | 2h 25m |
| Tensas Bayou Road | 24.3 mi | 43m |
| State Route 17 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Lake Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Broadway Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Delhi Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Monroe Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 133.4 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Providence, LA and Bossier City, LA.
1
Start on US 65
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Street
2
Turn left onto LA 134
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Tensas Bayou Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto LA 134
24 mi
·
41 min
·
Tensas Bayou Road
4
Turn left onto LA 17
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
State Route 17
5
Continue on LA 17
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
State Route 17
6
Continue on Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
7
Continue on LA 17
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Street
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
9
Merge onto I 20
133 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
I 20
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Traffic Street
11
Turn right onto Traffic Street
110 ft
·
4 sec
·
Traffic Street
12
Turn right onto Delhi Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Delhi Street
13
Turn left onto Monroe Street
394 ft
·
13 sec
·
Monroe Street
14
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
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 85.6 miles from Lake Providence, LA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.4 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 38 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 55m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bossier City, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Providence, 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 Lake Providence, LA
This is one driving day of about 171.3 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Lake Providence, 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 I 20 for about 133.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.6 mi from Lake Providence, LA · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.6 miles from Lake Providence, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.4 miles.
Arriving in Bossier City, LA
The final approach into Bossier City, 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 Bossier City, 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
$25.87 one way
$51.74 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $28.40 | $56.80 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.75 | $61.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.82 | $75.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.99 | $8.22 |
| Efficient EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.99 | $6.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.98 | $10.96 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Bossier City, LA
Afternoon in Bossier City on Wednesday
Local time
4:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
19 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 29m 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 Lake Providence, LA to Bossier City, LA covers 171.3 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Tensas Bayou Road, State Route 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.6 miles from Lake Providence, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.87 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 Lake Providence, LA to Bossier City, LA is easy. At 3h 29m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (LA 134 / Tensas Bayou Road): Navigation decision point; at 170.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Lake Providence, LA to Bossier City, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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