Origin
Waggaman, LA
Afternoon in Waggaman on Sunday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waggaman, LA to Lafayette, LA
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
136.1 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waggaman, LA
Richy Dannielz
Trip Overview
Connecting Waggaman to Lafayette, this 136.1-mile journey is an efficient trip that clocks in at approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. Since you are staying entirely within Southeast Louisiana, the transition between these two points is straightforward and well-suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget about $21 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Given the modest duration, most travelers find this route works perfectly as a direct drive without the need for an overnight stay. It serves as a reliable link between the suburban landscape near the Mississippi River and the heart of Acadiana.
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
68.1 miles from Waggaman, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 96% of your time on the road is spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of LA 3152, LA 18, and the primary artery, I-10. The vast majority of your journey, specifically 123.3 miles, consists of a single uninterrupted stretch along I-10. While the initial local roads offer a brief change of pace, the drive quickly settles into a consistent interstate rhythm. Be prepared for a steady, focused pace that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 123.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and LA 3152. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Avondale Garden Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Avondale Garden Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (LA 18 / River Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Avondale Garden Road
Turn left onto Avondale Garden Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
LA 18 / River Road
At end of road, turn right onto LA 18 / River Road
Navigation decision point
6
9.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
9.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
80.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 123.3 mi | 2h 20m |
| LA 3152 | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| LA 18 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| River Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Northwest Evangeline Thruway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Rue Jefferson | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Jefferson Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 123.3 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waggaman, LA and Lafayette, LA.
1
Start on Gambino Road
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Gambino Road
2
Turn left onto Avondale Garden Road
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Avondale Garden Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto LA 18
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
River Road
4
Take the ramp onto LA 18
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
LA 18
5
Continue on LA 3152
3.8 mi
·
7 min
·
LA 3152
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto I 10
71 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 10
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
53 mi
·
1 hr
·
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
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop to break up the nearly three-hour duration. Because the route relies so heavily on I-10, traffic density can fluctuate, so checking for congestion before you depart Waggaman is a smart move. With a fuel budget of $21, filling your tank before hitting the interstate ensures you won't have to worry about stopping until you reach your destination. If you prefer quieter roads, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter hours on the main highway stretches. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the manageable distance allows you to easily adjust your schedule based on traffic flow.
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 68.1 miles from Waggaman, LA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.3 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.1 miles or 1h 24m 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 14m
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 Waggaman, 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 Waggaman, LA
This is one driving day of about 136.1 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waggaman, 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 I 10 for about 123.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.1 mi from Waggaman, LA · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.1 miles from Waggaman, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.3 miles.
Arriving in Lafayette, LA
The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.81 one way
$41.61 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $22.82 | $45.64 |
| premium | $4.61 | $24.70 | $49.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.24 | $60.47 |
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
$21
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.29 | $6.53 |
| Efficient EV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.05 | $8.71 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Lafayette, LA
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
16 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
2h 44m 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 Waggaman, LA to Lafayette, LA covers 136.1 miles and takes about 2h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, LA 3152, LA 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.1 miles from Waggaman, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 136.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Avondale Garden Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (LA 18 / River Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Waggaman, LA to Lafayette, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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