Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
196.8 mi
317 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Port Barre, LA
Joaquin Carfagna
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Port Barre to Shreveport covers 196.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well within the limits of a single day, you can easily complete it in one trip without needing an overnight stay. You will traverse the Southeast region of Louisiana, relying on local roads like Saizan Avenue and Frisco Street to navigate your way north. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Since you will be making one planned stop, the pace remains manageable for most drivers looking for a direct route between these two points.
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
98.4 miles from Port Barre, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 196.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend the vast majority of your time—186.3 miles to be exact—traveling along the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. This stretch defines the character of your journey, requiring your full attention as you navigate through local corridors. Because the route avoids major interstates, the driving experience feels more grounded and connected to the local landscape. Be prepared for a consistent, hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed transit.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
270 ft
Total Descent
114 ft
Highest Point
212 ft
~188.6 mi in
Elevation Range
188 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Port Barre, LA to Shreveport, LA is easy. At 3h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Port Barre, LA to Shreveport, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Frisco Street | — | — |
| I 49 North | — | — |
| Charles I | — | — |
| Pete Harris Drive | — | — |
| Caddo Street | — | — |
| Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway | — | — |
| River Parkway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Port Barre, LA and Shreveport, LA.
Start on Saizan Avenue
Turn right onto Frisco Street
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
Merge slight left onto Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
Turn right onto Caddo Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
Arrive at your destination
Given the 3-hour and 26-minute duration, plan to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours in Shreveport. Since this is a turn-heavy route without the benefit of interstate highways, keep a close watch on your navigation to ensure you stay on track through the various local road transitions. You only have one stop scheduled, so pace yourself accordingly to avoid fatigue during the long 186.3-mile stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. Having your $30 fuel budget ready before you leave will help you maintain a smooth flow throughout the trip. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use your single stop strategically to stretch your legs and refresh before the final leg of the drive.
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.
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 43 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.4 miles or 1h 43m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shreveport, LA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Port Barre, 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 Port Barre, LA
This is one driving day of about 196.8 miles and 3h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.4 mi from Port Barre, LA · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 98.4 miles from Port Barre, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, LA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.72 one way
$59.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $32.63 | $65.25 |
| premium | $4.56 | $35.32 | $70.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.45 | $86.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59 | 0 | $20.66 | $9.45 |
| Efficient EV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.22 | $7.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.7 | 0 | $27.55 | $12.60 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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
Morning in Port Barre on Thursday
Local time
11:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Morning in Shreveport on Thursday
Local time
11:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
58°F
Alexandria, LA
98 mi in
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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