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Drive Time
6h 8m
Distance
328.6 mi
529 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Metairie, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Red Chute, LA
Joshuan Barboza
This 328.6-mile drive from Metairie, Louisiana, to Red Chute, Louisiana, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 8 minutes. You'll be navigating a mix of highways, including Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I-10, with State Route 1 also part of the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is about $50, making it a relatively budget-friendly excursion within the Southeast region. This route offers a straightforward travel experience, suitable for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Given its duration, it's well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
164.3 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
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Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 38% of the journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 186.3 miles along the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, offering a significant period of steady travel. This section likely involves a blend of faster highway speeds and potentially more varied road conditions as you transition between major arteries and state routes. The drive's character will likely evolve, moving from urban or suburban approaches to more open stretches, offering a dynamic driving experience.
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
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 328.6 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 |
| Purple Heart Recipients Highway | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| East Texas Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Highway 80 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Causeway Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Red Chute, 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
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto LA 782-2
Continue on Industrial Drive
Turn straight onto US 79; US 80
Continue on US 79; US 80
Continue on US 79; US 80
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 6-hour, 8-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Metairie to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for a break and refueling, especially considering the longest stretch is over 186 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $50 is a good baseline, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly during the longer segments. Since this is a feasible day trip, you have flexibility; however, starting early will ensure a more relaxed journey to Red Chute.
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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.3 miles or 3h 14m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Chute, 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 328.6 miles and 6h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 164.3 mi from Metairie, LA · 3h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
164 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 164.3 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 Red Chute, 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 Red Chute, 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
$49.63 one way
$99.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $54.48 | $108.96 |
| premium | $4.56 | $58.98 | $117.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.55 | $145.10 |
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: 115 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 | 98.6 | 1 | $34.50 | $15.77 |
| Efficient EV | 82.2 | 0 | $28.75 | $13.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.4 | 1 | $46.00 | $21.03 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Late night in Metairie on Wednesday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Red Chute on Wednesday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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.
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