Origin
Natchitoches, LA
Night in Natchitoches on Thursday
Local time
11:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Natchitoches, LA to Shreveport, LA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
76.2 mi
123 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 25m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 38m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Natchitoches, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 76.2-mile drive from Natchitoches, LA to Shreveport, LA takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical choice for a single-day trip. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it a quick and efficient journey. You'll be spending about 95% of your time on major roads, with the longest stretch covering 67.7 miles on I-49. This trip is ideal for a day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Traveling within the Southeast region of Louisiana, this drive offers a simple transition between two points.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 25m. Total distance: 76.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 76.2-mile trip, with 95% of the journey on major roads. The primary thoroughfare is I-49, which you'll navigate for a significant 67.7-mile stretch without interruption. This focus on high-speed travel means the drive is generally direct and efficient. While the road is predominantly interstate, you'll utilize University Parkway and Caddo Street as you approach Shreveport. The character remains consistently geared towards quick transit rather than 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 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and University Parkway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near LA 6 Bus / University Parkway.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Natchitoches, LA to Shreveport, LA is easy. At 1h 25m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (LA 6 Bus / University Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (I 49): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
LA 6 Bus / University Parkway
Turn right onto LA 6 Bus / University Parkway
Navigation decision point
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 49 North: Shreveport
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 49 North: Shreveport
3
5.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 49
Merge onto I 49
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
4
74.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
LA 173 / Caddo Street
Turn right onto LA 173 / Caddo Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 67.7 mi | 1h 10m |
| University Parkway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Caddo Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Pete Harris Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Rue Front | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| River Parkway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 67.7 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Natchitoches, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on LA 6 Bus
492 ft
·
8 sec
·
Rue Front
2
Continue on LA 6 Bus
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Jefferson Street
3
Turn right onto LA 6 Bus
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
University Parkway
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 49 North: Shreveport
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 49
68 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 49
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
7
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pete Harris Drive
8
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Caddo Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
10
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Parkway
11
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.1 mi from Natchitoches, LA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.1 miles from Natchitoches, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.7 miles.
Arriving in Shreveport, LA
The final approach into Shreveport, LA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.51 one way
$23.02 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $12.63 | $25.27 |
| premium | $4.56 | $13.68 | $27.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.82 | $33.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.00 | $3.66 |
| Efficient EV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.67 | $3.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.67 | $4.88 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Night in Shreveport on Thursday
Local time
11:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 25m 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 Natchitoches, LA to Shreveport, LA covers 76.2 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 49, University Parkway, Caddo Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.1 miles from Natchitoches, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.51 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.
The drive from Natchitoches, LA to Shreveport, LA is easy. At 1h 25m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (LA 6 Bus / University Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (I 49): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Natchitoches, LA to Shreveport, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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