Thibodaux, LA to Bossier City, LA is 309.5 miles and takes about 5h 41m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive traverses the Southeast region of Louisiana, moving from one part of the state to another. Expect a local feel for much of the journey, with a mix of highway and more winding roads. It’s a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you want to get to your destination without an overnight stop.
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
154.8 miles from Thibodaux, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 309.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route leans towards a turn-heavy local drive, with only about 6% of the journey on high-speed highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 197.8 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which will likely form the backbone of your trip. As you travel, you'll notice the character shift from more local roads to expressways like the Raceland-M C Express and Veterans Memorial Expressway closer to your destination. Be prepared for more frequent changes in speed and direction compared to a pure interstate experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 197.8 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 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near LA 20 / Canal Boulevard.
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 309.5 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.6 miles (LA 20 / Canal Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 86.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 91.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|LA 20 / Canal Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto LA 20 / Canal Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
86.4 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
91.5 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
306.5 mi into trip|~5h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
5
306.7 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
197.8 mi
3h 22m
Raceland-M C Express
75 mi
1h 21m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
LA 20
6.1 mi
10m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.7 mi
3m
Main Street
2.4 mi
3m
South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 197.8 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thibodaux, LA and Bossier City, LA.
1
Start on LA 1
116 ft·6 sec·Saint Mary Street
2
Turn right onto LA 20
0.6 mi·53 sec·Jackson Street
3
Enter roundabout onto LA 20
139 ft·2 sec·Canal Boulevard
4
Continue on LA 20
0.8 mi·1 min·Canal Boulevard
5
Continue on LA 20
2.4 mi·3 min·Main Street
6
Turn slight right onto LA 20
0.2 mi·31 sec·LA 20
7
Turn left onto LA 20
5.9 mi·10 min·LA 20
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
9
Merge onto US 90
75 mi·1 hr 21 min·Raceland-M C Express
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·14 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·24 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·28 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·15 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi·13 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
15
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi·21 sec·Young Street
16
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi·38 sec·Young Street
17
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi·3 min·St Etienne Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Fairfield Drive
19
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi·2 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
20
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·South Morgan Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi·13 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
22
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft·7 sec
23
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi·2 min·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
24
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi·9 min·Southeast Evangeline Thruway
25
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
26
Continue on I 49; US 167
198 mi·3 hr 22 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
29
Merge onto I 20
1.5 mi·2 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Traffic Street
31
Continue on Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi·36 sec·Barksdale Boulevard
32
Turn left onto Monroe Street
78 ft·2 sec·Monroe Street
33
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 41m estimated duration, leaving Thibodaux in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for a break and potential fuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $47, so ensure you have enough for the full 309.5 miles, especially since a significant portion is on local roads where fuel availability might vary. Pay attention to the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as it's your longest stretch and where you'll cover the most ground in one go.
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 154.8 miles from Thibodaux, LA, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.8 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 68 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.8 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bossier City, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Thibodaux, 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 Thibodaux, LA
This is one driving day of about 309.5 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Thibodaux, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 197.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.8 mi from Thibodaux, LA
· 3h into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 224.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.74 one way
$93.48 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$51.31
$102.62
premium
$4.56
$55.55
$111.10
diesel
$5.61
$68.33
$136.67
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)$0.17
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
$47
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
8 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Tesla Supercharger
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Shreveport, Louisiana
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Bossier City, Louisiana
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Bossier City, Louisiana
Tesla
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Broussard, Louisiana
EV Connect
1 DCFC
InCharge Energy Charging Station
Stonewall, Louisiana
InCharge
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Alexandria, Louisiana
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla: 3
ChargePoint: 1
EV Connect: 1
InCharge: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.9
1
$32.50
$14.86
Efficient EV
77.4
0
$27.08
$12.38
EV Truck/SUV
123.8
1
$43.33
$19.81
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Thibodaux, LA
Morning
in Thibodaux on Saturday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bossier City, LA
Morning
in Bossier City on Saturday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
155 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
5 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
5h 41m 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 Thibodaux, LA to Bossier City, LA covers 309.5 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Raceland-M C Express, Veterans Memorial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154.8 miles from Thibodaux, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.74 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 309.5 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.6 miles (LA 20 / Canal Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 86.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 91.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Thibodaux, LA to Bossier City, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
