Origin
Opelousas, LA
Evening in Opelousas on Wednesday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Opelousas, LA to Lafayette, LA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
28m
Distance
23.3 mi
38 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 28m
8 AM
0h 33m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 30m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Opelousas, LA
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Opelousas to Lafayette, you are in for a quick 23.4-mile journey that typically takes about 25 minutes. This short transit across Southeast Louisiana is perfect for a single-day trip, as you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You can expect to spend roughly $3 on fuel for the entire distance, making it an incredibly economical commute. Because the trip is so brief, it serves well as a simple connection between these two cities rather than a sprawling expedition. You will primarily utilize East Vine Street, I-49 South, and Charles I to complete the drive. Keep in mind that this is a straightforward local connection, ideal for those who prefer efficiency over a long day behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
11.7 miles from Opelousas, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that feels much more personal than a standard interstate grind. While you will utilize I-49 South, the route maintains a 0% highway share, emphasizing the local nature of these roads. You will find that there is no extended highway cruising here, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being zero miles on East Vine Street. Navigating this path requires your full attention as you transition between local streets and the main arterial roads. It is a technical, short-distance experience that keeps you engaged with the surrounding infrastructure rather than letting you zone out on a long, monotonous stretch of pavement.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 10 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 10.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
68 ft
37 ft
Total Climb
11 ft
Total Descent
42 ft
Highest Point
68 ft
Elevation Range
31 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 190 / East Vine Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 28m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 190 / East Vine Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles (I 49; US 167 / Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 190 / East Vine Street
Turn left onto US 190 / East Vine Street
Navigation decision point
5
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Lafayette
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Lafayette
3
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 49; US 167 / Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
Merge onto I 49; US 167 / Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
22.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
Jefferson Boulevard
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
23.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
Rue Vermilion Ouest
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 10.8 mi | 11m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| Northwest Evangeline Thruway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| East Vine Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Rue Jefferson | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Jefferson Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Rue Vermilion Ouest | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 10.8 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opelousas, LA and Lafayette, LA.
1
Start on LA 182
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 190
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Vine Street
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Lafayette
4
Merge onto I 49; US 167
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
5
Continue on I 49; US 167
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
6
Continue on I 49; LA 182
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
7
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Jefferson Boulevard
8
Continue on Rue Jefferson
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Rue Jefferson
9
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
335 ft
·
16 sec
·
Rue Vermilion Ouest
10
Arrive at destination
Rue Vermilion Ouest
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is only 25 minutes, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, allowing you to head straight from Opelousas to your destination in Lafayette without interruption. Because fuel costs are minimal at around $3, you can easily top off your tank before leaving without breaking your travel budget. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your navigation before pulling out to ensure you are comfortable with the transitions between East Vine Street and the I-49 corridor. Use this short travel time to your advantage by planning your arrival in Lafayette during off-peak hours to avoid any local traffic congestion.
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 11.7 miles from Opelousas, LA, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.8 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.7 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Opelousas, LA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Opelousas, LA
This is one driving day of about 23.3 miles and 28m.
At 23.3 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 10.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.7 mi from Opelousas, LA · 13m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.7 miles from Opelousas, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lafayette, LA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Lafayette, LA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.52 one way
$7.04 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $3.86 | $7.73 |
| premium | $4.56 | $4.18 | $8.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.14 | $10.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(1.9 mi)
$0.13
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
$4
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7 | 0 | $2.45 | $1.12 |
| Efficient EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.04 | $0.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.26 | $1.49 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Lafayette, LA
Evening in Lafayette on Wednesday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
19 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
28m 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 Opelousas, LA to Lafayette, LA covers 23.3 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Veterans Memorial Expressway, Northwest Evangeline Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.7 miles from Opelousas, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.52 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 straightforward 28m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 190 / East Vine Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles (I 49; US 167 / Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Opelousas, LA to Lafayette, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 37 ft to 68 ft elevation with about 11 ft of total climbing.
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