Origin
Waggaman, LA
Afternoon in Waggaman on Sunday
Local time
3:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waggaman, LA to Metairie Terrace, LA
Drive Time
15m
Distance
8.2 mi
13 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
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 17m
5 PM
0h 19m
8 PM
0h 15m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waggaman, LA
Richy Dannielz
Metairie Terrace, LA
Esmihel Muhammed
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Waggaman and Metairie Terrace, this 8.2-mile journey is an efficient way to cross the Southeast Louisiana region. Clocking in at just 15 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited as a simple day excursion that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via LA 18, River Road, and LA 3152, making it a straightforward transit rather than a long-haul haul. With fuel costs estimated at a modest $1, it is an incredibly economical drive for your budget. Since the route is entirely contained within the Southeast region, you will find the transition between these two Louisiana locales seamless and familiar.
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
4.1 miles from Waggaman, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed-drive experience that balances local road navigation with standard highway travel. About 56% of your 8.2-mile trek takes place on highways, providing a reliable pace for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 2.6-mile segment on LA 18, which offers the most consistent driving rhythm before you transition into local roads. Because the total duration is only 15 minutes, the road character shifts quickly from smaller thoroughfares to faster highway sections. You won't face any mandatory stops along the way, allowing you to maintain a steady flow from start to finish.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in near US 61 / Airline Drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 8.2 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 7.3 miles (US 61 / Airline Drive): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (Division Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles (Division Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 61 / Airline Drive
Merge onto US 61 / Airline Drive
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
7.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
Division Street
Turn left onto Division Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.1 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Division Street
Turn left onto Division Street
Navigation decision point
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Cypress Street
Turn right onto Cypress Street
Navigation decision point
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Mayflower Drive
Turn left onto Mayflower Drive
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| LA 18 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| River Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| LA 3152 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Airline Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Division Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Gambino Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Avondale Garden Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Derbigny Street | <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 Terrace, 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
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
LA 3152
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
237 ft
·
6 sec
7
Merge onto US 61
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Airline Drive
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto Division Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Division Street
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto Derbigny Street
210 ft
·
14 sec
·
Derbigny Street
10
Turn left onto Division Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Division Street
11
Turn right onto Cypress Street
131 ft
·
11 sec
·
Cypress Street
12
Turn left onto Mayflower Drive
73 ft
·
3 sec
·
Mayflower Drive
13
Arrive at destination
Mayflower Drive
Trip Plan
Because this is such a short, 15-minute hop, you have maximum flexibility when planning your departure time. You do not need to worry about pacing stops or scheduling rest breaks, as the entire route is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that with zero scheduled stops, you should ensure your vehicle is ready to go before you pull out of Waggaman. Since LA 18, River Road, and LA 3152 make up your primary path, pay close attention to the transitions between these roads to stay on track. Focusing on these specific road changes will ensure your quick trip to Metairie Terrace remains as stress-free as possible.
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 4.1 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 8.2 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.1 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie Terrace, 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 8.2 miles and 15m.
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 4.1 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 8.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.1 miles from Waggaman, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Metairie Terrace, LA
The final approach into Metairie Terrace, 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 Terrace, 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
$1.25 one way
$2.51 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $1.37 | $2.75 |
| premium | $4.61 | $1.49 | $2.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.82 | $3.64 |
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: 2.9 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 | 2.5 | 0 | $0.86 | $0.39 |
| Efficient EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.72 | $0.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.15 | $0.52 |
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 Terrace, LA
Afternoon in Metairie Terrace on Sunday
Local time
3:07 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
15m 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 Terrace, LA covers 8.2 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are LA 18, River Road, LA 3152. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.1 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 $1.25 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 8.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (US 61 / Airline Drive): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (Division Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles (Division Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Waggaman, LA to Metairie Terrace, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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