Metairie Terrace, LA to Central, LA is 80.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 41 minutes via I 10 and Airline Highway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience that's straightforward for a single day of travel. It’s a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within this part of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 80.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This trip leans heavily into highway driving, with 79% of the route on major roads like I 10 and Airline Highway. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 62.6 miles on I 10, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While primarily highway-focused, you'll also navigate segments on Joor Road and Airline Highway, which might present slightly more varied traffic conditions as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than winding scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 62.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Joor Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.2 miles (LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in|LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway
Turn right onto LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~7m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
65.7 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward LA 3246: Siegen Lane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 163
Toward LA 3246: Siegen Lane
6
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 190 East: Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 190 East: Hammond
6
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|Oak Villa Boulevard
Turn left onto Oak Villa Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
62.6 mi
1h 10m
Joor Road
5.2 mi
7m
Airline Highway
4.3 mi
6m
Oak Villa Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Siegen Lane
1.3 mi
2m
Clearview Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
Hooper Road
1.1 mi
2m
West Metairie Avenue North
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 62.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie Terrace, LA and Central, LA.
1
Start on Mayflower Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Mayflower Drive
2
Continue on Civic Street
396 ft·18 sec·Civic Street
3
Turn right onto Waltham Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Waltham Street
4
Turn left onto West Metairie Avenue North
0.9 mi·2 min·West Metairie Avenue North
5
Turn right onto LA 3152
1.2 mi·2 min·Clearview Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
8
Merge onto I 10
63 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 163Toward LA 3246: Siegen LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto LA 3246
1.3 mi·2 min·Siegen Lane
11
Turn left onto US 61; LA 73
4.3 mi·6 min·Airline Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward US 190 East: HammondUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 190
0.4 mi·42 sec·Florida Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Oak Villa Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Oak Villa Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Oak Villa Boulevard
0.9 mi·1 min·Oak Villa Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on LA 946
5.2 mi·7 min·Joor Road
17
Turn right onto LA 408
1.1 mi·2 min·Hooper Road
18
Arrive at destination
LA 408
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 41 minutes, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. You can depart at your leisure, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in the New Orleans metro area. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it’s wise to ensure your tank is full before you leave Metairie Terrace, as the longest stretch on I 10 is quite substantial, and services can be spread out. There are no specific recommended stops listed, so this trip is ideal for those who prefer to drive straight through.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.3 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.6 miles.
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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Metairie Terrace, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Metairie Terrace, LA
This is one driving day of about 80.6 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 62.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.3 mi from Metairie Terrace, LA
· 49m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.17 one way
$24.35 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$13.36
$26.72
premium
$4.56
$14.47
$28.93
diesel
$5.61
$17.80
$35.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.46
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.05
$3.22
EV Truck/SUV
32.2
0
$11.28
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Metairie Terrace, LA
Night
in Metairie Terrace on Friday
Local time
10:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Central, LA
Night
in Central on Friday
Local time
10:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Shenandoah, LA
40 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 41m 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 Metairie Terrace, LA to Central, LA covers 80.6 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Joor Road, Airline Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.3 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.17 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 80.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.2 miles (LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Metairie Terrace, LA to Central, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
