Trip from New Orleans, LA to Houma, LA

Drive 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 9m ★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m

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

Downtown Houma, LA, LA

Houma, LA

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 9/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Loyola Avenue

Turn right onto Loyola Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Poydras Street

Turn right onto Poydras Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
14.6 mi into trip | ~19m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 220 Toward I 310 South: Boutte, Houma
6
48.6 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward LA 182 West: Houma

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward LA 182 West: Houma

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: US 90 — 21.5 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Orleans, LA and Houma, LA.

1

Start on Tulane Avenue

40 ft · 3 sec · Tulane Avenue
2

Turn right onto Loyola Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Loyola Avenue
3

Turn right onto Poydras Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Poydras Street
Use the none lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
5

Merge onto I 10

13 mi · 16 min · I 10
Use the none lane.
6

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 220 Toward I 310 South: Boutte, Houma Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 310

11 mi · 12 min · I 310
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 55 sec
Toward US 90 West: Houma
9

Merge onto US 90

5.3 mi · 7 min · US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on US 90

0.3 mi · 26 sec · US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on US 90

0.5 mi · 37 sec · US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on US 90

15 mi · 18 min · US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 210 Toward LA 182: Houma
14

Keep slight left at fork

490 ft · 15 sec
Toward LA 182 West: Houma
15

Turn left

204 ft · 5 sec
Toward LA 182 West: Houma
16

Continue on LA 182

6.9 mi · 9 min · LA 182
17

Enter roundabout onto LA 182

145 ft · 2 sec · New Orleans Boulevard
18

Continue on LA 182

1.2 mi · 2 min · New Orleans Boulevard
19

Turn right onto LA 24; LA 182

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Park Avenue
20

Turn left onto LA 182

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Barrow Street
21

Turn right onto School Street

47 ft · 2 sec · School Street
22

Arrive at destination

School Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 28.6 miles from New Orleans, LA, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.5 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Orleans, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 90 for about 21.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Laplace, LA, LA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Laplace, LA

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.

Popular next leg

Laplace, LA to Houma, LA

50.7 mi · 1h 5m

Pacing Suggestions

Laplace, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Laplace, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 28.6 miles from New Orleans, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Houma, LA

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.76 one way

$17.52 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

New Orleans, LA

Afternoon in New Orleans on Sunday

Local time

4:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houma, LA

Afternoon in Houma on Sunday

Local time

4:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°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

1 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 14m 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 Orleans, LA to Houma, LA covers 57.3 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 90, I 10, I 310. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.6 miles from New Orleans, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.76 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.
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.
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.
The route from New Orleans, LA to Houma, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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