Origin
Waggaman, LA
Afternoon in Waggaman on Sunday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waggaman, LA to Metairie, LA
Drive Time
16m
Distance
8.7 mi
14 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 15m
★
6 AM
0h 16m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 17m
12 PM
0h 17m
3 PM
0h 18m
5 PM
0h 19m
8 PM
0h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waggaman, LA
Richy Dannielz
Metairie, LA
Jesus Alfonso
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transit between Waggaman and Metairie, this 8.7-mile journey is a highly efficient choice. You can expect to complete the drive in roughly 16 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight planning. Navigating through the Southeast region of Louisiana, the route utilizes a combination of LA 18, River Road, and US 90 to get you to your destination. With fuel costs estimated at just $1, it is an incredibly budget-friendly option for your commute or local travel. Because the trip is so short, you have total flexibility to head out whenever it best suits your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
4.4 miles from Waggaman, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 8.7-mile trek offers a mixed drive profile that transitions between local roads and more substantial highway segments. Approximately 49% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a balanced feel behind the wheel. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on LA 18, which spans 2.6 miles. The road’s personality shifts as you move from the initial local stretches onto the highway sections, requiring you to remain alert as traffic patterns change. It is a straightforward route that avoids the monotony of a long-haul interstate grind while still offering enough variety to keep the drive engaging.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
LA 18 is the longest continuous segment at about 2.6 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 8 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
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 8.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 5.2 miles (US 90): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
5
5.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 90
Take the exit onto US 90 toward LA 48, US 90 East: Jefferson Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward LA 48, US 90 East: Jefferson Highway
6
5.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
8.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
47th Street
Turn right onto 47th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| LA 18 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| River Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| US 90 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Causeway Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 47th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Gambino Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Causeway Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Avondale Garden Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
LA 18
— 2.6 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waggaman, LA and Metairie, 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
Take the exit onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 90
Toward LA 48, US 90 East: Jefferson Highway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 90
Use the none lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
8
Merge onto LA 3046
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Causeway Boulevard
9
Turn right onto 49th Street
44 ft
·
7 sec
·
49th Street
10
Turn left onto North Causeway Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Causeway Boulevard
11
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
47th Street
12
Arrive at destination
Fagot Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this trip takes only 16 minutes, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or multiple rest stops. You can easily complete the entire 8.7-mile stretch without needing to fuel up, given the minimal $1 cost. To make the most of your travel, try to avoid peak commuting hours if you prefer a quieter, more predictable flow of traffic on US 90. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, feel free to adjust your departure time to match your personal needs. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor local traffic reports for River Road before you leave, as conditions on these mixed-road segments can fluctuate throughout the day.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 4.4 miles from Waggaman, LA, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2.6 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 8.7 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.4 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie, 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 8.7 miles and 16m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on LA 18 for about 2.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.4 mi from Waggaman, LA · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 8.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.4 miles from Waggaman, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Metairie, LA
The final approach into Metairie, 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 Metairie, 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
$1.33 one way
$2.66 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $1.46 | $2.92 |
| premium | $4.61 | $1.58 | $3.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.93 | $3.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.91 | $0.42 |
| Efficient EV | 2.2 | 0 | $0.76 | $0.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.22 | $0.56 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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
Metairie, LA
Afternoon in Metairie on Sunday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
16m 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 Metairie, LA covers 8.7 miles and takes about 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are LA 18, River Road, US 90. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.4 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 $1.33 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 8.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 5.2 miles (US 90): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Waggaman, LA to Metairie, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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