The drive from Monticello, LA to Kenner, LA covers 262.1 miles and takes about 5h 7m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, I 20, State Route 577 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 157.5 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
131 miles from Monticello, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 262.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 7m highway drive covering 262.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 157.5 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 157.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 262.1 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 89.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 89.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
89.8 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 43A-B
Toward I 55 South
6
89.8 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South
5
90.1 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South
8
260.8 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 223A-B
Toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans I...
9
261 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International A...
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
157.5 mi
2h 48m
I 20
74.9 mi
1h 23m
State Route 577
14.4 mi
33m
I 10
12.8 mi
15m
Williams Boulevard
1 mi
2m
US 80
<0.1 mi
<1m
State Route 877
<0.1 mi
<1m
21st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 157.5 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, LA and Kenner, LA.
1
Start on LA 877
240 ft·12 sec·State Route 877
2
Turn left onto LA 577; LA 877
2.1 mi·5 min·State Route 577
3
Continue on LA 577
11 mi·25 min·State Route 577
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 80; LA 577
320 ft·8 sec·US 80; LA 577
5
Turn right onto LA 577
1.5 mi·2 min·State Route 577
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
7
Merge onto I 20
33 mi·35 min·I 20
8
Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80
3.8 mi·4 min·I 20; US 61; US 80
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
38 mi·42 min·I 20; US 80
10
Take the exit
302 ft·7 sec
Exit 43A-BToward I 55 South
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 55 South
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 South
13
Merge onto I 55; US 51
157 mi·2 hr 48 min·I 55; US 51
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 10
13 mi·15 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 223A-BToward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
174 ft·4 sec
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard SouthUse the right lane.
17
Turn right onto LA 49
1.0 mi·2 min·Williams Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto 21st Street
38 ft·1 sec·21st Street
19
Arrive at destination
21st Street
Trip Plan
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 131 miles from Monticello, LA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.5 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 58 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenner, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monticello, 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 Monticello, LA
This is one driving day of about 262.1 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Monticello, 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 I 55 for about 157.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 131 mi from Monticello, LA
· 2h 43m into the drive
The midpoint is around 131 miles from Monticello, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 157.5 miles.
Arriving in Kenner, LA
The final approach into Kenner, 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 Kenner, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 262.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.58 one way
$79.17 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$43.45
$86.91
premium
$4.56
$47.04
$94.09
diesel
$5.61
$57.87
$115.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.6
0
$27.52
$12.58
Efficient EV
65.5
0
$22.93
$10.48
EV Truck/SUV
104.8
1
$36.69
$16.77
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 14, 2026
Origin
Monticello, LA
Night
in Monticello on Friday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenner, LA
Night
in Kenner on Friday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
SE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
30 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
5h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Monticello, LA to Kenner, LA covers 262.1 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 20, State Route 577. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 131 miles from Monticello, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.58 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 262.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 89.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 89.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Monticello, LA to Kenner, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Poverty Point National Monument and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
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.
