Origin
Metairie, LA
Afternoon in Metairie on Sunday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
16m
Distance
8.7 mi
14 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Metairie, LA
Jesus Alfonso
Waggaman, LA
Richy Dannielz
If you are looking to travel between Metairie and Waggaman, you are looking at a quick 8.7-mile journey that typically takes about 16 minutes to complete. This trip stays entirely within the Southeast region of Louisiana, making it a straightforward drive that is easily accomplished in a single day. You will primarily navigate via US 90, LA 18, and Jefferson Highway to reach your destination. With a fuel cost estimate of just $1, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. Given the short duration, there is no need for an overnight stay, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than long-distance touring. Whether you are running errands or heading to a meeting, this mixed-drive route offers a practical connection between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
4.3 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this 8.7-mile trek features a mixed-drive profile that balances different road types. About 59% of your total distance will be spent on highways, providing a blend of faster travel and slower local road navigation. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on US 90, spanning 2.8 miles before the character of the road begins to shift. As you transition between these thoroughfares, remain attentive to the changing flow of traffic. The route manages to keep things moving while requiring you to adjust your pace as you move from highway speeds to local Jefferson Highway segments.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Causeway Boulevard.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 16m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 0.3 miles (49th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (North Causeway Boulevard): 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 left onto North Causeway Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn right onto 49th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto North Causeway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 90 / Jefferson Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 90
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 90 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| LA 18 | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Jefferson Highway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Causeway Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Gambino Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 47th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Avondale Garden Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Fagot Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Waggaman, LA.
Start on Fagot Avenue
Continue on 47th Street
At end of road, turn left onto North Causeway Boulevard
Turn right onto 49th Street
Turn left onto North Causeway Boulevard
Turn right onto US 90
Turn left onto US 90
Continue on LA 18
Turn left onto Avondale Garden Road
Continue on Gambino Road
Arrive at destination
Because this drive is so brief, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though keeping an eye on local traffic patterns is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any scheduled stops since the 16-minute duration is easily manageable in one go. Given the low fuel cost of $1, you likely won't need to worry about refueling during the trip, but it is always good practice to check your levels before leaving Metairie. A specific tip for this route is to stay alert during the transition between US 90 and the local segments, as the shift in road type happens relatively quickly. Use this short travel window to enjoy a stress-free transition between locations without the need for complex trip logistics.
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.
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 8.7 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.3 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waggaman, 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 8.7 miles and 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.3 mi from Metairie, LA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 8.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 4.3 miles from Metairie, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Waggaman, 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 Waggaman, LA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.33 one way
$2.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $1.46 | $2.92 |
| premium | $4.61 | $1.58 | $3.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.93 | $3.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.91 | $0.42 |
| Efficient EV | 2.2 | 0 | $0.76 | $0.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.22 | $0.56 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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 Sunday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Waggaman on Sunday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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