The drive from Opelousas, LA to Terrytown, LA covers 142.3 miles and takes about 2h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 10, East Vine Street, Pontchartrain Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.6 miles on I 10.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.49 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
71.2 miles from Opelousas, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 142.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 54m highway drive covering 142.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 10 and East Vine Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.6 miles on I 10.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and East Vine Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 190 / East Vine Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 142.3 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: at 0.1 miles (US 190 / East Vine Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 133 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.5 miles (US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 190 / East Vine Street
Turn left onto US 190 / East Vine Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
133 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
136.5 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
140.5 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward Terry Parkway, Frontage Road
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 9A
Toward Terry Parkway, Frontage Road
7
140.7 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Terry Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Terry Parkway
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Opelousas, LA and Terrytown, LA, road signs point toward New Orleans and Business District.
New Orleans
133 mi in|~2h 40m|via I 10
Business District
133 mi in|~2h 40m|via I 10
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
78.6 mi
1h 29m
East Vine Street
50.4 mi
1h 4m
Pontchartrain Expressway
5.9 mi
6m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Westbank Expressway
0.9 mi
1m
Terry Parkway
0.7 mi
1m
Crescent City Connection
0.7 mi
1m
Heritage Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 78.6 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opelousas, LA and Terrytown, LA.
1
Start on LA 182
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 190
50 mi·1 hr 4 min·East Vine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
5
Merge onto I 10
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi·4 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS
2.4 mi·2 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 90 BUS
0.7 mi·1 min·Crescent City Connection
9
Continue on US 90 BUS
0.9 mi·1 min·Westbank Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 9AToward Terry Parkway, Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Terry ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Terry Parkway
0.2 mi·27 sec·Terry Parkway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto Terry Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Terry Parkway
14
Turn right onto Heritage Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·Heritage Avenue
15
Turn left onto Cedarwood Avenue
418 ft·14 sec·Cedarwood Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Cedarwood Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.2 miles from Opelousas, LA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.6 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.2 miles or 1h 29m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terrytown, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Opelousas, 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 Opelousas, LA
This is one driving day of about 142.3 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Opelousas, 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 I 10 for about 78.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.2 mi from Opelousas, LA
· 1h 29m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 137.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.49 one way
$42.98 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$23.59
$47.18
premium
$4.56
$25.54
$51.08
diesel
$5.61
$31.42
$62.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.7
0
$14.94
$6.83
Efficient EV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
EV Truck/SUV
56.9
0
$19.92
$9.11
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Opelousas, LA
Evening
in Opelousas on Friday
Local time
5:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Terrytown, LA
Evening
in Terrytown on Friday
Local time
5:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 54m 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 Terrytown, LA covers 142.3 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, East Vine Street, Pontchartrain Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.2 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 $21.49 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.
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 demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 142.3 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: at 0.1 miles (US 190 / East Vine Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 133 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.5 miles (US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Opelousas, LA and Terrytown, LA, road signs point toward New Orleans and Business District.
Yes. Nearby national parks include New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
