Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 17m
Distance
333.8 mi
537 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Metairie, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Benton, LA
Jesus Alfonso
The drive from Metairie, LA to Benton, LA covers 333.8 miles and takes about 6h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, I 10, State Route 1 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.41 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
166.9 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 333.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
The drive from Metairie, LA to Benton, LA covers 333.8 miles and takes about 6h 17m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Causeway Boulevard.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 333.8 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 0.2 miles (North Causeway Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.4 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 186.3 mi | 3h 10m |
| I 10 | 76.2 mi | 1h 26m |
| State Route 1 | 49 mi | 1h 2m |
| Benton Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Highway 3 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Purple Heart Recipients Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Hamilton Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Benton, LA.
Start on Fagot Avenue
Continue on 47th Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Turn left onto 46th Street
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto LA 415
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 49; US 167
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Turn left onto Hamilton Road
Enter roundabout onto Walter O Bigby Carriageway
Continue on Walter O Bigby Carriageway
Enter roundabout onto Walter O. Bigby Carriageway
Continue on Walter O. Bigby Carriageway
At end of road, turn left onto LA 3
Continue on LA 3
Turn right onto Simpson Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 73 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.9 miles or 3h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, LA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Metairie, 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 Metairie, LA
This is one driving day of about 333.8 miles and 6h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 166.9 mi from Metairie, LA · 3h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 166.9 miles from Metairie, 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 186.3 miles.
The final approach into Benton, 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 Benton, 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
$50.41 one way
$100.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $55.34 | $110.68 |
| premium | $4.56 | $59.91 | $119.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.70 | $147.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.1 | 1 | $35.05 | $16.02 |
| Efficient EV | 83.5 | 0 | $29.21 | $13.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.5 | 1 | $46.73 | $21.36 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Metairie on Friday
Local time
2:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Benton on Friday
Local time
2:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
85°F
Alexandria, LA
167 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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.
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