Origin
Merrydale, LA
Afternoon in Merrydale on Friday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Merrydale, LA to Lafayette, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
64.1 mi
103 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Merrydale, LA
Perry Z
Trip Overview
This straightforward 64.1-mile drive from Merrydale to Lafayette, Louisiana, is easily manageable within a single day, taking just about 1 hour and 19 minutes. With an estimated fuel cost of $10, it's an economical option for a quick trip. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 89% of the journey on major roads like I-10 and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout. This drive is ideal for those looking for a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 64.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 89% of the drive utilizing major freeways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 52 miles on I-10, indicating long periods of consistent speed. While the majority is high-speed interstate, you'll transition onto Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway and Northwest Evangeline Thruway as you approach Lafayette. This blend means you'll experience both the efficiency of interstate travel and the more urban approach into your destination city.
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 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 52 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.4 miles (US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway
Turn right onto US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward I 110: Natchez, Baton Rouge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 110: Natchez, Baton Rouge
7
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Merge onto I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
8.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Lafayette
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1I
Toward I 10 West: Lafayette
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 52 mi | 59m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Northwest Evangeline Thruway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Airline Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Greenwell Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Rue Jefferson | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Jefferson Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 52 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrydale, LA and Lafayette, LA.
1
Start on Greenwell Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Greenwell Street
2
Turn right onto US 61; US 190
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Airline Highway
Use the right lane.
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 110: Natchez, Baton Rouge
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 110
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 1I
Toward I 10 West: Lafayette
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10
52 mi
·
59 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 167: Morgan City
9
Merge onto I 49
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Continue on I 49; LA 182
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
11
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Jefferson Boulevard
12
Continue on Rue Jefferson
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Rue Jefferson
13
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
335 ft
·
16 sec
·
Rue Vermilion Ouest
14
Arrive at destination
Rue Vermilion Ouest
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.1 mi from Merrydale, LA · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.1 miles from Merrydale, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lafayette, LA
The final approach into Lafayette, LA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.68 one way
$19.36 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $10.63 | $21.25 |
| premium | $4.56 | $11.51 | $23.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.15 | $28.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(1.9 mi)
$0.13
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$0
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.73 | $3.08 |
| Efficient EV | 16 | 0 | $5.61 | $2.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Lafayette, LA
Afternoon in Lafayette on Friday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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
1h 19m 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 Merrydale, LA to Lafayette, LA covers 64.1 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway, Northwest Evangeline Thruway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.1 miles from Merrydale, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.68 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.4 miles (US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Merrydale, LA to Lafayette, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lafayette, LA
More from Merrydale, LA
More trips to Lafayette, LA
Explore more options from Merrydale, LA or browse trips ending in Lafayette, LA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.