Trip from Port Sulphur, LA to Lafayette, LA

Drive Time

3h 41m

Distance

182.1 mi

293 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Port Sulphur, LA

Liisbet Luup

Trip Overview

Traveling from Port Sulphur to Lafayette covers 182.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 41 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $28 on fuel, making it an affordable trip across Southeast Louisiana. You will primarily utilize LA 23, the Pontchartrain Expressway, and I-10 to make your way between these two points. Since the route stays entirely within the Southeast region of the state, you will find the transition between these locales to be consistent and efficient. It is a practical choice if you are looking for a reliable, no-nonsense path to your destination.

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

91.1 miles from Port Sulphur, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily weighted toward high-speed travel, with 96 percent of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 80.6 miles on the Pontchartrain Expressway, which dictates the pace for much of your journey. Transitioning from the regional roads of Port Sulphur onto the major interstate network creates a distinct shift from quiet local transit to a faster, more industrial flow. Expect a consistent, efficient experience behind the wheel rather than a winding or technical drive. While the environment remains largely interstate-focused, the transition onto I-10 provides a steady, predictable rhythm that carries you through the majority of your 182.1-mile trek.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Pontchartrain Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 80.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pontchartrain Expressway and I 10. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 39.8 miles in near LA 428 / Behrman Highway.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 182.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 39.8 miles (LA 428 / Behrman Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.4 miles (LA 428 / Behrman Place): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 42.7 miles (LA 428 / General de Gaulle Drive): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

39.8 mi into trip | ~52m in | LA 428 / Behrman Highway

Turn right onto LA 428 / Behrman Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

42.4 mi into trip | ~57m in | LA 428 / Behrman Place

Keep slight left at fork onto LA 428 / Behrman Place

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

42.7 mi into trip | ~57m in | LA 428 / General de Gaulle Drive

At end of road, turn left onto LA 428 / General de Gaulle Drive

Navigation decision point

126.5 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | I 10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

179 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in

Take the exit toward US 167: Morgan City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 167: Morgan City

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pontchartrain Expressway	80.6 mi	1h 32m
I 10	52.6 mi	1h
LA 23	39.8 mi	52m
Behrman Highway	2.3 mi	4m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway	1.9 mi	3m
General de Gaulle Drive	1.2 mi	2m
Westbank Expressway	0.9 mi	1m
Behrman Place	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Pontchartrain Expressway — 80.6 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Sulphur, LA and Lafayette, LA.

Start on LA 23

40 mi · 52 min · LA 23

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto LA 428

2.3 mi · 4 min · Behrman Highway

Use the none lane.

Turn straight onto LA 428

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Behrman Place

Keep slight left at fork onto LA 428

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Behrman Place

At end of road, turn left onto LA 428

1.2 mi · 2 min · General de Gaulle Drive

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 42 sec

Toward US 90 Business East: New Orleans

Merge onto US 90 BUS

0.9 mi · 1 min · Westbank Expressway

Continue on US 90 BUS

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Crescent City Connection

Continue on US 90 BUS

81 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Pontchartrain Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

53 mi · 1 hr · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward US 167: Morgan City

Merge onto I 49

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Continue on I 49; LA 182

1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway

Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Jefferson Boulevard

Continue on Rue Jefferson

0.3 mi · 51 sec · Rue Jefferson

Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest

335 ft · 16 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

Arrive at destination

Rue Vermilion Ouest

Trip Plan

Planning for this 3 hour and 41 minute drive is simple, as the route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget for at least one stop to break up the monotony of the 96 percent highway-heavy commute. Since fuel will cost roughly $28, filling up before you leave Port Sulphur will help you maintain a smooth pace once you hit the interstate. Given the highway-focused nature of the trip, try to avoid peak traffic hours on the Pontchartrain Expressway to ensure you don't lose time in congestion. By staying mindful of your fuel and pacing your single planned stop, you can reach Lafayette comfortably and efficiently.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 91.1 miles from Port Sulphur, LA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91.1 miles or 1h 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Port Sulphur, 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 Sulphur, LA

This is one driving day of about 182.1 miles and 3h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Port Sulphur, 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 Pontchartrain Expressway for about 80.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 91.1 mi from Port Sulphur, LA · 1h 54m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Orleans, LA

91 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Laplace, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Laplace, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.1 miles from Port Sulphur, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pontchartrain Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.

Arriving in Lafayette, LA

The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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

$27.84 one way

$55.68 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$30.53	$61.07
premium	$4.61	$33.05	$66.10
diesel	$5.64	$40.46	$80.91

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

$28

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	54.6	$19.12	$8.74
Efficient EV	45.5	$15.93	$7.28
EV Truck/SUV	72.8	$25.49	$11.65

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Port Sulphur, LA

Afternoon in Port Sulphur on Sunday

Local time

2:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lafayette, LA

Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday

Local time

2:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 41m 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 Port Sulphur, LA to Lafayette, LA covers 182.1 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Pontchartrain Expressway, I 10, LA 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 91.1 miles from Port Sulphur, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Port Sulphur, LA to Lafayette, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Port Sulphur, LA to Lafayette, LA

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Lafayette, LA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Port Sulphur, LA

Lafayette, LA

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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