The drive from Shreveport, LA to Gretna, LA covers 332.6 miles and takes about 6h 12m 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 $50.23 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
166.3 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 332.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Shreveport, LA to Gretna, LA covers 332.6 miles and takes about 6h 12m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 186.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 332.6 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 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.1 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 323.1 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
6
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
323.1 mi into trip|~5h 59m 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
326.7 mi into trip|~6h 4m 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.
7
331.7 mi into trip|~6h 10m in
Take the exit toward Stumpf Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward Stumpf Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Shreveport, LA to Gretna, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Opelousas
190.6 mi in|~3h 19m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
186.4 mi
3h 10m
I 10
78.6 mi
1h 29m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
Pontchartrain Expressway
5.9 mi
6m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Westbank Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
North Common Street
1.4 mi
2m
Allen Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 186.4 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shreveport, LA and Gretna, LA.
1
Start on River Parkway
0.5 mi·1 min·River Parkway
2
Turn left onto Jack Wells Boulevard
0.1 mi·31 sec·Jack Wells Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Airport Drive
0.3 mi·39 sec·Airport Drive
4
Turn right onto North Common Street
1.4 mi·2 min·North Common Street
5
Turn right onto LA 173
0.3 mi·36 sec·Caddo Street
6
Continue on LA 173
0.1 mi·23 sec·Ford Street
7
Turn left onto Allen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Allen Avenue
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
9
Continue on I 49
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
11
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft·9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
12
Merge onto US 190
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
14
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
15
Merge onto I 10
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS
2.4 mi·2 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 90 BUS
0.7 mi·1 min·Crescent City Connection
19
Continue on US 90 BUS
2.0 mi·2 min·Westbank Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 8Toward Stumpf BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto Westbank Expressway
0.5 mi·59 sec·Westbank Expressway
22
Turn right
0.1 mi·38 sec
23
At end of road, turn left onto 11th Street
65 ft·4 sec·11th Street
24
Turn right onto Richard Street
171 ft·7 sec·Richard Street
25
Arrive at destination
Richard Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.3 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 73 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.3 miles or 2h 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 5h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gretna, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, LA
This is one driving day of about 332.6 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Shreveport, 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 Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 186.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 166.3 mi from Shreveport, LA
· 2h 54m into the drive
The midpoint is around 166.3 miles from Shreveport, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.4 miles.
Arriving in Gretna, LA
The final approach into Gretna, 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 Gretna, 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 332.6
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 80.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.23 one way
$100.46 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$55.14
$110.28
premium
$4.56
$59.70
$119.40
diesel
$5.61
$73.43
$146.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.8
1
$34.92
$15.96
Efficient EV
83.2
0
$29.10
$13.30
EV Truck/SUV
133
1
$46.56
$21.29
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Shreveport, LA
Evening
in Shreveport on Friday
Local time
7:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gretna, LA
Evening
in Gretna on Friday
Local time
7:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
166 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 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
6h 12m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Shreveport, LA to Gretna, LA covers 332.6 miles and takes about 6h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, I 10, US 190. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 166.3 miles from Shreveport, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.23 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 332.6 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 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.1 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 323.1 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Shreveport, LA to Gretna, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Cane River Creole 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.
