Trip from Monroe, LA to Cade, LA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 43m

Distance

195.4 mi

314 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 31m ★

6 AM

3h 44m

8 AM

4h 9m

10 AM

3h 52m

12 PM

3h 50m

3 PM

3h 54m

5 PM

4h 8m

8 PM

3h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Monroe, LA

Perry Z

Cade, LA

Miguel Cuenca

Trip Overview

Embark on a 195.4-mile journey from Monroe to Cade, Louisiana, a drive that will take approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Louisiana. With a projected fuel cost of around $30 and a single recommended stop, it's perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. The route primarily utilizes local roads, offering a more connected experience to the communities you'll pass through. Expect a turn-heavy local drive that provides a good feel for the area.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

97.7 miles from Monroe, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 195.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 13% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate primarily along Martin Luther King Jr Drive and Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, transitioning onto the Veterans Memorial Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 88.7 miles, giving you a substantial segment on a single road before changes occur. Be prepared for frequent turns and a more involved driving experience compared to a straightforward interstate trip.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Martin Luther King Jr Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 88.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 195.4 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 0.1 miles (US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street

Turn right onto US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street

Navigation decision point

2.2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia

2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 South: Columbia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 165 South: Columbia

95.8 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in | US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas

195.3 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in | R Babineaux Road

Turn left onto R Babineaux Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Martin Luther King Jr Drive	88.7 mi	1h 43m
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway	76 mi	1h 17m
Veterans Memorial Expressway	8.8 mi	9m
US 90	6.3 mi	8m
LA 182	4.3 mi	6m
Pineville Expressway	4.2 mi	5m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway	2.2 mi	3m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway	1.2 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Martin Luther King Jr Drive — 88.7 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, LA and Cade, LA.

Start on this road

38 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn left

45 ft · 5 sec

Turn right onto US 80; LA 15

265 ft · 8 sec · Louisville Avenue

Turn right onto US 165 Business; LA 15

0.2 mi · 18 sec · North 5th Street

Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15

458 ft · 7 sec · North 5th Street

Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Merge onto I 20

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward US 165 South: Columbia

Merge onto US 165

89 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Martin Luther King Jr Drive

Turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward US 165 North: Monroe

Merge onto US 167

4.2 mi · 5 min · Pineville Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 167

Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas

Merge onto I 49; US 167; US 71 BYP

76 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway

Continue on I 49; US 167

8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Continue on I 49; LA 182

2.2 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway

Continue on US 90; LA 182

6.3 mi · 8 min · US 90; LA 182

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182

0.5 mi · 33 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182

0.7 mi · 46 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Take the exit onto LA 182

4.3 mi · 6 min · LA 182

Turn right onto LA 92-1

107 ft · 8 sec · Smede Highway

Turn left onto R Babineaux Road

526 ft · 23 sec · R Babineaux Road

Arrive at destination

R Babineaux Road

Trip Plan

Given the 3 hour and 43 minute duration, departing Monroe in the morning allows ample time to reach Cade comfortably within a single day. Plan for one stop to break up the 195.4 miles; the longest stretch without a significant change is 88.7 miles, so consider pausing before or after this segment. The estimated fuel cost is $30, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Monroe. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns characteristic of this route, especially as you transition between Martin Luther King Jr Drive and other local roads.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 97.7 miles from Monroe, LA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 43 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 97.7 miles or 1h 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cade, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Monroe, 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 Monroe, LA

This is one driving day of about 195.4 miles and 3h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Monroe, LA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Martin Luther King Jr Drive for about 88.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 97.7 mi from Monroe, LA · 1h 57m into the drive

suburb city of Alexandria, located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pineville, LA

98 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.

Pacing Suggestions

West Monroe, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alexandria, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.7 miles from Monroe, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Martin Luther King Jr Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.7 miles.

Arriving in Cade, LA

The final approach into Cade, 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 Cade, LA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.51 one way

$59.02 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$32.39	$64.79
premium	$4.56	$35.07	$70.14
diesel	$5.61	$43.14	$86.28

Estimated Tolls: $0.20

Northwest Evangeline Thruway (2.2 mi) $0.15

Southwest Evangeline Thruway (0.7 mi) $0.05

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	58.6	$20.52	$9.38
Efficient EV	48.9	$17.10	$7.82
EV Truck/SUV	78.2	$27.36	$12.51

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Monroe, LA

Evening in Monroe on Thursday

Local time

6:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cade, LA

Evening in Cade on Thursday

Local time

6:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

3 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

3h 43m 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 Monroe, LA to Cade, LA covers 195.4 miles and takes about 3h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, Veterans Memorial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 97.7 miles from Monroe, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.51 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Monroe, LA to Cade, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Monroe, LA to Cade, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cade, LA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Monroe, LA

Cade, LA

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 43m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

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