Origin
West Monroe, LA
Afternoon in West Monroe on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Monroe, LA to Houma, LA
Drive Time
4h 41m
Distance
288.4 mi
464 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Photo: Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Traveling from West Monroe to Houma covers 288.4 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 41 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a full day on the road if you want to arrive comfortably. Budget approximately $39 for fuel to complete the journey. While you can certainly knock this out in a single day, the winding nature of the path makes it feel more substantial than a standard interstate commute. Both cities are located within the Southeast region of Louisiana, keeping your travels within a familiar geographic context. It is a straightforward trip that rewards drivers who prefer local roads over high-speed highway travel.
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
144.2 miles from West Monroe, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate trek, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate via Stella Street, Jackson Street, and US 165 North, which prioritize local connectivity over speed. The drive is characterized by its turn-heavy profile, requiring your full attention behind the wheel as you transition between these smaller roads. Because there is no single long stretch—with the longest segment on Stella Street clocking in at 0 miles—the journey feels like a series of connected local transitions. You will stay engaged throughout the 288.4-mile trip as the road environment constantly shifts under your tires.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Stella Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 41m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Monroe, LA to Houma, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Stella Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jackson Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 165 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pineville Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 49 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northwest Evangeline Thruway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Stella Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Monroe, LA and Houma, LA.
1
Start on North 7th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Street
2
Turn right onto Stella Street
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Stella Street
3
Take the ramp slight left
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
4
Merge slight left
0.9 mi
·
1 min
5
Take the exit slight right
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
6
Keep slight right
512 ft
·
12 sec
7
Keep slight right
236 ft
·
6 sec
8
Turn slight right onto Jackson Street
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Jackson Street
9
Turn straight
23 mi
·
26 min
10
Continue straight
60 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
11
Turn left onto US 165 North: Monroe
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 165 North: Monroe
12
Merge slight left onto Pineville Expressway
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pineville Expressway
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
14
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
76 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
15
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
16
Continue on Northwest Evangeline Thruway
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
17
Continue straight
6.1 mi
·
8 min
18
Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Morgan Avenue
19
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
20
Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Fairfield Drive
21
Turn left onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
St Etienne Road
22
At the end of the road, turn left onto Young Street
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Young Street
23
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
24
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
25
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
26
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
27
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
28
Keep slight right
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
29
Take the exit slight right
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
30
Keep slight right
394 ft
·
10 sec
31
Turn straight onto West Main Street
7.0 mi
·
11 min
·
West Main Street
32
Turn right onto Lafayette Street
197 ft
·
10 sec
·
Lafayette Street
33
Turn left onto School Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
School Street
34
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 4-hour and 41-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue while navigating local intersections. Since you will be sticking to local roads rather than interstates, factor in extra time for traffic signals and slower speed zones that may extend your travel time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the constant steering required on these local routes can be more tiring than highway driving. Keep your fuel budget of $39 in mind, but consider carrying a little extra cash for refueling at local stations along the way. Your best strategy is to embrace the flexibility of this route, allowing yourself enough time to navigate the turns safely without feeling rushed.
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 144.2 miles from West Monroe, LA, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houma, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Monroe, 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 West Monroe, LA
This is one driving day of about 288.4 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Monroe, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 144.2 mi from West Monroe, LA · 2h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 144.2 miles from West Monroe, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Houma, LA
The final approach into Houma, 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 Houma, 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
$44.09 one way
$88.18 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $48.36 | $96.72 |
| premium | $4.61 | $52.34 | $104.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.07 | $128.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.5 | 1 | $30.28 | $13.84 |
| Efficient EV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.23 | $11.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.4 | 1 | $40.38 | $18.46 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Houma, LA
Afternoon in Houma on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
65°F
Newton, TX
144 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 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 West Monroe, LA to Houma, LA covers 288.4 miles and takes about 4h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Stella Street, Jackson Street, US 165 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144.2 miles from West Monroe, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.09 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 is a straightforward 4h 41m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Monroe, LA to Houma, LA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from West Monroe, LA to Houma, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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