Origin
New Iberia, LA
Evening in New Iberia on Thursday
Local time
6:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Iberia, LA to Leesville, LA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
158.3 mi
255 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Iberia, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Leesville, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from New Iberia, LA to Leesville, LA covers 158.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Coliseum Boulevard, Veterans Memorial Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.5 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
79.1 miles from New Iberia, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 158.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (6%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 3m drive with frequent turns across 158.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 71.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 13.5 miles in near US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 3m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.5 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 102.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
13.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
102.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 71, US 167 South: MacArthur Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71, US 167 South: MacArthur Drive
6
102.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 71 North, US 671 North Business: MacArthur Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71 North, US 671 North Business: MacA...
4
106 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
US 71; US 165 / Macarthur Drive
Enter roundabout onto US 71; US 165 / Macarthur Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
156.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
US 171; LA 8 / North 6th Street
Enter roundabout onto US 171; LA 8 / North 6th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 71.5 mi | 1h 12m |
| Coliseum Boulevard | 48.4 mi | 56m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| Southeast Evangeline Thruway | 6 mi | 9m |
| Old Spanish Trail Highway South | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Old Spanish Trail | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Jefferson Highway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Southwest Evangeline Thruway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 71.5 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Iberia, LA and Leesville, LA.
1
Start on Julia Street
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
Julia Street
2
Turn left onto LA 86; LA 182
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on LA 182
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Old Spanish Trail
4
Turn straight onto LA 182
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Old Spanish Trail Highway South
5
Continue on LA 182
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
6
Continue on LA 182
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Frontage Road
7
Take the ramp onto LA 182
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
LA 182
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
9
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
10
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Continue on I 49; US 167
72 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 71, US 167 South: MacArthur Drive
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 71 North, US 671 North Business: MacArthur Drive
14
Continue on US 71; US 167 BUS
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Jefferson Highway
15
Enter roundabout onto US 71; US 165
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Macarthur Drive
16
Continue on US 71; US 165
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Macarthur Drive
17
Take the exit
486 ft
·
13 sec
18
Continue on LA 28
48 mi
·
56 min
·
Coliseum Boulevard
19
Enter roundabout onto US 171; LA 8
314 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 6th Street
20
Continue on US 171; LA 8
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North 6th Street
21
Turn left onto LA 8
390 ft
·
7 sec
·
Nolan Trace Parkway
22
Continue on East Texas Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Texas Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Texas 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 79.1 miles from New Iberia, LA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.5 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 35 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.1 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leesville, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Iberia, 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 New Iberia, LA
This is one driving day of about 158.3 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from New Iberia, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 71.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.1 mi from New Iberia, LA · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.1 miles from New Iberia, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.5 miles.
Arriving in Leesville, LA
The final approach into Leesville, 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 Leesville, 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
$23.91 one way
$47.81 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $26.24 | $52.49 |
| premium | $4.56 | $28.41 | $56.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.95 | $69.90 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.60
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)
$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)
$0.18
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
$24
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.62 | $7.60 |
| Efficient EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.85 | $6.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.16 | $10.13 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (65% 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
Leesville, LA
Evening in Leesville on Thursday
Local time
6:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
4 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
3h 3m 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 New Iberia, LA to Leesville, LA covers 158.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Coliseum Boulevard, Veterans Memorial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.1 miles from New Iberia, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.91 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.
This is a straightforward 3h 3m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.5 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 102.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from New Iberia, LA to Leesville, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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