Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
199 mi
320 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leonville, LA
Vika Glitter
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
This 199-mile drive from Leonville to Shreveport, Louisiana, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 33 minutes. You'll primarily travel on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 31, with a smaller portion on Caddo Street. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Southeast region of Louisiana. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, allowing you to reach your destination without needing 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
99.5 miles from Leonville, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 199 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (4%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only a 4% highway share. The majority of your travel, a substantial 187.4 miles, will be on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. This means you'll experience a more engaging driving experience with frequent changes in direction and potentially slower speeds as you navigate local roads. It’s less of a high-speed interstate cruise and more of an exploration of Louisiana's landscape.
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. The trickiest moment comes around 8.4 miles in.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Leonville, LA to Shreveport, LA is easy. At 3h 33m with 4% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles (I 49; US 167 / Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 196 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 49; US 167 / Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto LA 173 / Caddo Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 187.4 mi | 3h 11m |
| State Route 31 | 7.7 mi | 13m |
| Caddo Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Pete Harris Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Cresswell Lane | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Creswell Lane | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| River Parkway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Leonville, LA and Shreveport, LA.
Start on LA 3254
Continue on LA 31
Continue on LA 31
Continue on LA 31
Continue on LA 31
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 49; US 167
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
Turn right onto LA 173
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
Arrive at destination
Given the 3 hour and 33 minute estimated duration, departing Leonville in the morning is ideal for a single-day trip to Shreveport. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan this break to coincide with roughly the halfway point of your 199-mile journey. With a fuel cost around $30, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is advisable, especially during the longest stretch of 187.4 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. This route's turn-heavy nature means staying focused on navigation is key to a smooth arrival.
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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.5 miles or 1h 48m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shreveport, LA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Leonville, 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 Leonville, LA
This is one driving day of about 199 miles and 3h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.5 mi from Leonville, LA · 1h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.5 miles from Leonville, 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 187.4 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$30.05 one way
$60.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $32.99 | $65.98 |
| premium | $4.56 | $35.72 | $71.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.94 | $87.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.89 | $9.55 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.41 | $7.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.86 | $12.74 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Morning in Leonville on Thursday
Local time
11:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Shreveport on Thursday
Local time
11:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
58°F
Alexandria, LA
100 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
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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