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Trip from Sterlington, LA to Baton Rouge, LA

Data updated 30 minutes ago

Drive Time

3h 56m

Distance

199.8 mi

322 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 44m ★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Trip Overview

This 199.8-mile drive from Sterlington to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will take you approximately 3 hours and 56 minutes. It's a manageable trip that's well-suited for a single day, so no need to plan for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $30, offering a budget-friendly journey. Primarily utilizing Seargent Prentiss Drive, US 425, and I 20, this route provides a mixed driving experience as you travel within the Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.

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

99.9 miles from Sterlington, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The character of this drive is predominantly highway, with 59% of the journey on faster roads like I 20 and US 425. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive, which offers a different pace before merging into more typical highway driving. Expect a mixed profile, meaning you'll transition between different types of roads, so be prepared for variations in speed and scenery. This blend of highway and local road driving keeps the journey from becoming monotonous.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Seargent Prentiss Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 79.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 553 / Old Highway 2.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 199.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (LA 553 / Old Highway 2): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (LA 2): Navigation decision point; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | LA 553 / Old Highway 2

Turn left onto LA 553 / Old Highway 2

Navigation decision point

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | LA 2

At end of road, turn right onto LA 2

Navigation decision point

5
34.8 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
4
35.1 mi into trip | ~41m in | US 425

Turn right onto US 425

Navigation decision point

8
199.1 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in

Take the exit toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 1A Toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center,...

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 Sterlington, LA to Baton Rouge, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald along the way.

Archibald

34.8 mi in | ~40m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Seargent Prentiss Drive 79.3 mi 1h 34m
US 425 76.2 mi 1h 28m
I 20 19 mi 20m
US 165 12.9 mi 15m
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway 5.4 mi 6m
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway 2.5 mi 3m
LA 2 2.1 mi 3m
Government Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Seargent Prentiss Drive — 79.3 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterlington, LA and Baton Rouge, LA.

1

Start on Old Sterlington Road

115 ft · 10 sec · Old Sterlington Road
2

Turn left onto LA 553

0.4 mi · 1 min · Old Highway 2
3

At end of road, turn right onto LA 2

2.1 mi · 3 min · LA 2
4

Take the ramp

421 ft · 11 sec
5

Merge onto US 165

13 mi · 15 min · US 165
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
7

Merge onto I 20

19 mi · 20 min · I 20
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
9

Turn right onto US 425

76 mi · 1 hr 28 min · US 425
10

Keep slight right at fork

526 ft · 14 sec
11

Merge onto US 61

79 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Seargent Prentiss Drive
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
13

Continue on I 110

2.5 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 110

5.4 mi · 6 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 1A Toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center, Downtown Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Turn right onto LA 73

0.5 mi · 1 min · Government Street
17

Arrive at destination

Government Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a single-day trip of under 4 hours, you have flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight and arrive in Baton Rouge with ample time. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically to coincide with your fuel needs or a chance to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 79.3-mile stretch on Seargent Prentiss Drive, as services might be less frequent compared to major interstates. The $30 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for peace of mind.

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 99.9 miles from Sterlington, LA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 99.9 miles or 1h 56m 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 12m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Sterlington, 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 Sterlington, LA

This is one driving day of about 199.8 miles and 3h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sterlington, 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 Seargent Prentiss Drive for about 79.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 99.9 mi from Sterlington, LA · 1h 56m into the drive

Downtown Maryland, LA, LA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Maryland, LA

100 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.

Popular next leg

Maryland, LA to Baton Rouge, LA

9 mi · 13m

Pacing Suggestions

Monroe, LA

Fuel and coffee

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

Alexandria, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 99.9 miles from Sterlington, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Seargent Prentiss Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.3 miles.

Arriving in Baton Rouge, LA

The final approach into Baton Rouge, 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 Baton Rouge, 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

$30.17 one way

$60.35 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $33.12 $66.25
premium $4.56 $35.86 $71.72
diesel $5.61 $44.11 $88.23

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: 69.9 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 59.9 0 $20.98 $9.59
Efficient EV 50 0 $17.48 $7.99
EV Truck/SUV 79.9 0 $27.97 $12.79

Gas CO2

70 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Sterlington, LA

Evening in Sterlington on Tuesday

Local time

6:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Baton Rouge, LA

Evening in Baton Rouge on Tuesday

Local time

6:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

88°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

1 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

3h 56m 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 Sterlington, LA to Baton Rouge, LA covers 199.8 miles and takes about 3h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Seargent Prentiss Drive, US 425, I 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.9 miles from Sterlington, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.17 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 199.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (LA 553 / Old Highway 2): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (LA 2): Navigation decision point; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Sterlington, LA to Baton Rouge, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald along the way.

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