Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
57m
Distance
43.4 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
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
Paulina, LA
Israyosoy S.
This 43.4-mile drive from Metairie, LA, to Paulina, LA, is a quick trip that can easily be completed in under an hour, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, with 93% of the journey on highways, so expect a straightforward drive. The estimated fuel cost is around $7, which is quite budget-friendly for such a short distance. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you travel. Given its short length and highway-focused profile, it's best suited for a direct transit rather than an extended exploration.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 32.8 mi | 38m |
| LA 641 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| LA 44 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| North Causeway Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Airline Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 47th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Fagot Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 46th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Paulina, 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
Take the exit
Turn left onto LA 641
Turn right onto LA 641; LA 3125
Turn left onto LA 641
Turn left onto LA 3274
At end of road, turn right onto LA 44
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.7 miles from Metairie, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 34.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn left onto 46th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: New Orleans, Baton Rouge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward LA 641 South: Gramercy, Lutcher
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$6.55 one way
$13.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $7.20 | $14.39 |
| premium | $4.56 | $7.79 | $15.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.58 | $19.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.56 | $2.08 |
| Efficient EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.80 | $1.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Afternoon in Metairie on Saturday
Local time
1:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Paulina on Saturday
Local time
1:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
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.
Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route will see you covering 93% of the distance on interstates and major roads. You'll experience one significant stretch of 32.8 miles on I-10, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. The transition onto LA 641 and then LA 44 will introduce you to more localized roads, though the overall character remains geared towards efficient travel. Expect a relatively smooth and direct experience, with the interstate sections providing the bulk of the driving.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and LA 641. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Causeway Boulevard.
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 43.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 (North Causeway Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (46th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Metairie, LA to Paulina, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Lutcher along the way.
Lutcher
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 43.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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