Origin
Red Chute, LA
Afternoon in Red Chute on Wednesday
Local time
12:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
6h 13m
Distance
335 mi
539 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Chute, LA
Joshuan Barboza
The drive from Red Chute, LA to New Orleans, LA covers 335 miles and takes about 6h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, I 10, US 190 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 186.4 miles on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.59 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
167.5 miles from Red Chute, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
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The drive from Red Chute, LA to New Orleans, LA covers 335 miles and takes about 6h 13m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 335 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 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 198.2 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.1 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 West: Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Red Chute, LA to New Orleans, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Opelousas
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 186.4 mi | 3h 10m |
| I 10 | 79.1 mi | 1h 30m |
| US 190 | 49.5 mi | 1h 3m |
| Purple Heart Recipients Highway | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| LA 415 Spur | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Pontchartrain Expressway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Highway 80 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Texas Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Red Chute, LA and New Orleans, LA.
Start on US 79; US 80
Continue on US 79; US 80
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 220
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Continue on I 49
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 190
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
Turn left
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Take the exit
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.5 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, LA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Red Chute, 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 Red Chute, LA
This is one driving day of about 335 miles and 6h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167.5 mi from Red Chute, LA · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 167.5 miles from Red Chute, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.4 miles.
The final approach into New Orleans, 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 New Orleans, LA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$50.59 one way
$101.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $55.54 | $111.08 |
| premium | $4.56 | $60.13 | $120.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.96 | $147.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.5 | 1 | $35.18 | $16.08 |
| Efficient EV | 83.8 | 0 | $29.31 | $13.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134 | 1 | $46.90 | $21.44 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Red Chute on Wednesday
Local time
12:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in New Orleans on Wednesday
Local time
12:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
57°F
Jasper, TX
168 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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