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Trip from Vidalia, LA to Lafayette, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

147.2 mi

237 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 45m ★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Vidalia, LA, LA

Vidalia, LA

Miguel Cuenca

Trip Overview

The drive from Vidalia, LA to Lafayette, LA covers 147.2 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Seargent Prentiss Drive, I 10, Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.23 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

73.6 miles from Vidalia, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Seargent Prentiss Drive 79.3 mi 1h 34m
I 10 52 mi 59m
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway 5.7 mi 7m
US 84 3.5 mi 4m
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway 2.5 mi 3m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway 1.9 mi 3m
Veterans Memorial Expressway 0.3 mi <1m
Rue Jefferson 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Seargent Prentiss Drive — 79.3 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Vidalia, LA and Lafayette, LA.

1

Start on US 84; US 425

0.1 mi · 14 sec · US 84; US 425
2

Continue on US 84; US 425

3.4 mi · 4 min · US 84; US 425
3

Keep slight right at fork

526 ft · 14 sec
4

Merge onto US 61

79 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Seargent Prentiss Drive
5

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
6

Continue on I 110

2.5 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 110

5.7 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 1I Toward I 10 West: Lafayette Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 10

52 mi · 59 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward US 167: Morgan City
11

Merge onto I 49

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
12

Continue on I 49; LA 182

1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway
13

Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Jefferson Boulevard
14

Continue on Rue Jefferson

0.3 mi · 51 sec · Rue Jefferson
15

Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest

335 ft · 16 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest
16

Arrive at destination

Rue Vermilion Ouest

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.6 miles from Vidalia, LA, or about 1h 27m 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 32 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.6 miles or 1h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 23m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Vidalia, 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 Vidalia, LA

This is one driving day of about 147.2 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Vidalia, 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.

person who professionally produces and optionally sells breads, rolls, biscuits or cookies, and other pastry

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Baker, LA

74 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

Baker, LA to Lafayette, LA

67 mi · 1h 22m

Pacing Suggestions

Oxford, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Baker, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.6 miles from Vidalia, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Louisiana

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 147.2

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13375340585

Visit website

Vestal Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Louisiana

0.1 mi

Poche's Market & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

0.9 mi

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13375340585

Visit website

Vestal Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $100 or ab mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13375340682

Visit website

Poche's Market & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 136.6

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Hours: 4 am–8 pm

+13373322108

Visit website

Court Street Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.6

Port Allen, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12253304669

Visit website

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372334077

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13377068850

Visit website

T-Coon's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13372330422

Visit website

The Saint Restaurant and Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $50 to $10 mile 63.1

St Francisville, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12256356502

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 136.6

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 136.6

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13373321253

Visit website

Eaton Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Natchez, Mississippi

+18773862273

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 73.6

Zachary, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13374826858

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 63.1

St Francisville, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Natchez, Mississippi

+16013045378

Visit website

Green Park Park & Charge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 94.6

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Children's Museum of Acadiana

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13372328500

Visit website

Lafayette Science Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13372915544

Visit website

The Lafayette Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372342208

Visit website

Girard Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Visit website

West Baton Rouge Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 94.6

Port Allen, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+12253362422

Visit website

Moncus Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 147.2

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+13375001177

Visit website

13th Gate Escape, Louisiana's Ultimate Escape Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 94.6

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–10:15 pm

+12253891313

Visit website

USS KIDD Veterans Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 94.6

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–3:30 pm

+12253421942

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 144.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
3.5 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
82.9 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
8
91.6 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Lafayette

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 1I Toward I 10 West: Lafayette
5
92 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
144.1 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Take the exit toward US 167: Morgan City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 167: Morgan City

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.23 one way

$44.46 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $24.40 $48.81
premium $4.56 $26.42 $52.84
diesel $5.61 $32.50 $65.00

Estimated Tolls: $0.13

Northwest Evangeline Thruway (1.9 mi) $0.13

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

$22

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.2 0 $15.46 $7.07
Efficient EV 36.8 0 $12.88 $5.89
EV Truck/SUV 58.9 0 $20.61 $9.42

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Vidalia, LA

Afternoon in Vidalia on Saturday

Local time

3:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lafayette, LA

Afternoon in Lafayette on Saturday

Local time

3:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

5 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

2h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

147.2 mi in 2h 56m — 44% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Seargent Prentiss Drive.

44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.3 mi on Seargent Prentiss Drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 147.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 82.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 91.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 147.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.13 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lafayette, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 82.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 91.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lafayette, LA before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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