Origin
New Orleans, LA
Afternoon in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
4:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
1h 14m
Distance
57.3 mi
92 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houma, LA
Abhishek Navlakha
If you are looking to trade the vibrant energy of New Orleans for the heart of Cajun country in Houma, this 57.3-mile journey is an efficient trip that clocks in at approximately 1 hour and 14 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily handle this as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $9 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for a quick change of scenery within Southeast Louisiana. Since the drive is focused on major thoroughfares, your travel time remains predictable even during busier parts of the day. Whether you are heading out for work or leisure, this route provides a straightforward connection between these two iconic Louisiana hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
28.6 miles from New Orleans, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will transition through a mix of I-10 and I-310 before settling onto US 90 for the bulk of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 21.5 miles on US 90, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. While the route lacks technical, winding local roads, the interstate-heavy profile ensures you reach your destination quickly. You will find that the character of the drive is utilitarian and direct, prioritizing speed and efficiency over scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 90 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Loyola Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 57.3 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: near the start (Loyola Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Poydras Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Loyola Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Poydras Street
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 310 South: Boutte, Houma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward LA 182 West: Houma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 90 | 21.5 mi | 27m |
| I 10 | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| I 310 | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| LA 182 | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| New Orleans Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Poydras Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Loyola Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Barrow Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between New Orleans, LA and Houma, LA.
Start on Tulane Avenue
Turn right onto Loyola Avenue
Turn right onto Poydras Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Continue on I 310
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 90
Continue on US 90
Continue on US 90
Continue on US 90
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left
Continue on LA 182
Enter roundabout onto LA 182
Continue on LA 182
Turn right onto LA 24; LA 182
Turn left onto LA 182
Turn right onto School Street
Arrive at destination
Because this is a short, 57.3-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about strict timing. Since there are no mandatory stops required to complete the 1-hour and 14-minute duration, you can push through the drive comfortably in one go. If you are starting your trip in New Orleans, be mindful that traffic patterns can shift quickly when transitioning between I-10 and I-310. Keep your tank topped off before leaving the city limits, as the $9 fuel estimate assumes a standard driving efficiency. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by arriving in Houma with plenty of time to explore immediately upon arrival.
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.
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 57.3 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.6 miles or 36m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houma, LA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving New Orleans, 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 Orleans, LA
This is one driving day of about 57.3 miles and 1h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.6 mi from New Orleans, LA · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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.
A short stop after about 57.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 28.6 miles from New Orleans, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Houma, 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 Houma, LA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$8.76 one way
$17.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $9.61 | $19.22 |
| premium | $4.61 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.73 | $25.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
| Efficient EV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.01 | $2.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
4:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Houma on Sunday
Local time
4:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from New Orleans, LA or browse trips ending in Houma, LA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.
Explore maps for New Orleans, LA or Houma, LA on MapSof.net.