How far is Alexandria, LA from Ponchatoula, LA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, LA to Ponchatoula, LA is about 170.1 miles (273.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.2 miles (214.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Ponchatoula.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Ponchatoula.
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1
Start on Murray Street
2160 ft · 2 min · Murray Street
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2
Turn left onto Thorn Road
846 ft · 24 sec · Thorn Road
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3
Take the ramp straight
1431 ft · 37 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
64.8 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
2681 ft · 1 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on US 190 East: Baton Rouge
110 m · 10 sec
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7
Merge slight right
49.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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8
Keep slight right
3.6 mi · 5 min
-
9
Turn left onto I 10 East: Baton Rouge
1512 ft · 37 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
7.6 mi · 10 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 12 East: Hammond
1.3 km · 2 min
-
12
Continue on West Florida Republic Parkway
37.2 mi · 41 min · West Florida Republic Parkway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: New Orleans
2320 ft · 57 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward LA 22: Springfield, Ponchatoula
853 ft · 21 sec
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16
Keep slight right
738 ft · 22 sec
-
17
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
18
Turn left onto Northwest Railroad Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · Northwest Railroad Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northwest Railroad Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Ponchatoula.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
64.8 mi · 01h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Alexandria and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Ponchatoula.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Ponchatoula?
The road trip is about 170.1 miles (273.7 km) and usually takes 03h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Krotz Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85 miles from Alexandria and 85.1 miles from Ponchatoula.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.2 miles (214.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.72 one way or $45.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alexandria and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Ponchatoula.
Stop Ideas Near Krotz Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Port Barre Park
Leonville Town Hall
Port Barre Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Krotz Springs.
Lafayette
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
New Iberia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Ponchatoula. Straight-line distance: 133.23 mi (214.42 km).
#1 Alexandria
The capital of Louisiana.
| Population | 45,573 |
| Coordinates | 31.3112900, -92.4451400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ponchatoula
City in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 7,545 |
| Coordinates | 30.4388000, -90.4414800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ponchatoula (-90.44148, 30.4388)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $22.72 | $45.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $25.55 | $51.11 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $27.75 | $55.50 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $32.49 | $64.98 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Louisiana · Jun 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.