The drive from Shreveport, LA to Monticello, LA covers 255.6 miles and takes about 4h 48m 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, US 190, Greenwell Springs Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 186.4 miles on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.60 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
127.8 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 255.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 48m drive with frequent turns across 255.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 255.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 190.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.1 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
5
190.6 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
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.
6
240.6 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|US 190; LA 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190; LA 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
250.9 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward Greenwell Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Greenwell Springs
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 Monticello, 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
US 190
59.7 mi
1h 18m
Greenwell Springs Road
4 mi
6m
North Common Street
1.4 mi
2m
Allen Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
River Parkway
0.5 mi
1m
Monticello Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Caddo Street
0.3 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 Monticello, 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 left at fork onto US 190; LA 1
10 mi·15 min·US 190; LA 1
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Greenwell SpringsUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto LA 37
4.0 mi·6 min·Greenwell Springs Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Monticello Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Monticello Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Sunderland Avenue
386 ft·18 sec·Sunderland Avenue
18
Turn right onto Salem Drive
0.1 mi·23 sec·Salem Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Salem Drive
Trip Plan
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 127.8 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 2h 15m 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.8 miles or 2h 15m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, 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 255.6 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 127.8 mi from Shreveport, LA
· 2h 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 127.8 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 Monticello, LA
The final approach into Monticello, 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 Monticello, 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.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 79.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.60 one way
$77.20 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$42.38
$84.75
premium
$4.56
$45.88
$91.75
diesel
$5.61
$56.43
$112.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.84
$12.27
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.22
EV Truck/SUV
102.2
1
$35.78
$16.36
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Shreveport, LA
Late night
in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
12:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Monticello, LA
Late night
in Monticello on Saturday
Local time
12:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
128 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Monticello, LA covers 255.6 miles and takes about 4h 48m 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, US 190, Greenwell Springs Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 127.8 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 $38.60 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 255.6 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 190.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.1 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Shreveport, LA to Monticello, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include 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.
