Melville to Kenner is 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m via I 10, US 190, and State Route 105, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a drive that's almost entirely on highways, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. It's a relatively short journey, so you won't need an overnight stay, and it's ideal if you're looking for a quick transit rather than an extended scenic exploration.
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
59.3 miles from Melville, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 118.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive with a 97% share on major roads, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstates and highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 71.4 miles on I 10, so be prepared for a sustained period of highway driving. The route primarily utilizes I 10, US 190, and State Route 105, indicating a mix of interstate and primary highway conditions. You'll experience a consistent pace for the majority of the journey, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 190. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near LA 10 / Lafleur Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (LA 10 / Lafleur Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 10 / Lafleur Street
Turn left onto LA 10 / Lafleur Street
Navigation decision point
5
11.6 mi into trip|~21m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
46 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
117.3 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 223A-B
Toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans I...
9
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International A...
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
71.4 mi
1h 20m
US 190
30.5 mi
40m
State Route 105
10.1 mi
17m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Williams Boulevard
1 mi
2m
North Levee Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Fontenot Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Lafleur Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 71.4 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melville, LA and Kenner, LA.
1
Start on Church Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·Church Street
2
Turn left onto Gum Street
363 ft·21 sec·Gum Street
3
Turn left onto LA 10
0.2 mi·18 sec·Lafleur Street
4
Turn right onto Fontenot Street
0.4 mi·41 sec·Fontenot Street
5
Continue on LA 105
10 mi·17 min·State Route 105
6
Continue on LA 105
0.4 mi·48 sec·North Levee Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
8
Merge onto US 190
31 mi·40 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
10
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
11
Merge onto I 10
71 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 223A-BToward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
174 ft·4 sec
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard SouthUse the right lane.
14
Turn right onto LA 49
1.0 mi·2 min·Williams Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto 21st Street
38 ft·1 sec·21st Street
16
Arrive at destination
21st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2.5-hour duration, this is a perfect one-day trip, so you can leave whenever it suits your schedule. With only one recommended stop, flexibility is key. Plan to refuel before you leave Melville or near your destination in Kenner, as the drive is efficient. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, so keep that in mind for your budget. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic congestion on I 10 as you approach the New Orleans metropolitan area, especially during peak commuting hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.3 miles from Melville, LA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.4 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 26 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 22m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenner, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Melville, 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 Melville, LA
This is one driving day of about 118.6 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Melville, 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 10 for about 71.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.3 mi from Melville, LA
· 1h 22m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from Melville, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.4 miles.
Arriving in Kenner, LA
The final approach into Kenner, 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 Kenner, LA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 118.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.91 one way
$35.82 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.66
$39.32
premium
$4.56
$21.29
$42.57
diesel
$5.61
$26.19
$52.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.38
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.60
$7.59
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Melville, LA
Late night
in Melville on Saturday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenner, LA
Late night
in Kenner on Saturday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
5 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
2h 30m 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 Melville, LA to Kenner, LA covers 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, US 190, State Route 105. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.3 miles from Melville, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (LA 10 / Lafleur Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Melville, LA to Kenner, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
