How far is Donaldsonville, LA from Lafayette, LA?

The driving distance from Donaldsonville, LA to Lafayette, LA is about 85.9 miles (138.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.9 miles (99.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
85.9 mi
01h 35m
Flight
61.86 mi
99.55 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Donaldsonville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
61.86 mi
Kilometers
99.55 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
85.9 mi
Kilometers
138.24 km
Drive Time
01h 35m

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 01h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lafayette
Sat, Apr 18, 9:03 AM CDT
Return by in Donaldsonville
Sat, Apr 18, 10:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Donaldsonville
2026-04-18T07:27
Arrive Lafayette
Sat, Apr 18, 9:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Donaldsonville
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Grosse Tete
LA

Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America

From Donaldsonville
42.9 mi
00h 47m
To Lafayette
43 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
86°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Donaldsonville and Lafayette.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Donaldsonville and Lafayette.

  1. 1

    Start on West 10th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · West 10th Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Highway 1 North

    18.5 mi · 22 min · Highway 1 North

  3. 3

    Continue on Church Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Church Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Highway 1

    11.6 mi · 17 min · Highway 1

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West: Lafayette

    2327 ft · 57 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    50.2 mi · 57 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 167: Morgan City

    1688 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1669 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on Northwest Evangeline Thruway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard

    1147 ft · 34 sec · Jefferson Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on Rue Jefferson

    1654 ft · 52 sec · Rue Jefferson

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest

    102 m · 17 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Donaldsonville and Lafayette.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 10 West
50.7 mi · 59%
Highway 1 North
18.5 mi · 22%
Highway 1
11.6 mi · 13%
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
1.87 mi · 2%
Church Street
1.04 mi · 1%
West 10th Street
0.97 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 10 West

Merge slight left

50.2 mi · 00h 57m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24 mi
61.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grosse Tete
00h 47m from Donaldsonville
Leave By
3:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Donaldsonville and Partly Sunny near Lafayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Donaldsonville to Lafayette?

The road trip is about 85.9 miles (138.2 km) and usually takes 01h 35m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Grosse Tete is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.9 miles from Donaldsonville and 43 miles from Lafayette.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 61.9 miles (99.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.47 one way or $22.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Donaldsonville and Partly Sunny near Lafayette.

Stop Ideas Near Grosse Tete

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Grosse Tete and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Plaza
Scenic stop 11.5 mi away

City Hall Plaza

Baton Rouge , LA
10, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Rating 4.3/5 10 reviews Park
Baton Rouge City Hall
Meeting point 11.6 mi away

Baton Rouge City Hall

Baton Rouge , LA
222 St Louis St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Rating 4.3/5 10 reviews City Hall,Local government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 11.6 mi away

City of Baton Rouge Fire Station 15

Baton Rouge , LA
3150 Brightside Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Rating 3.5/5 2 reviews Fire station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grosse Tete.

BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

25 mi away
1253 Florida St.
RAIL

New Iberia

58 mi away
West Washington St.
RAIL

Lafayette

59 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

Hammond

94 mi away
404 N.E. Railroad Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Donaldsonville and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 61.86 mi (99.55 km).

Donaldsonville

#1 Donaldsonville

City in Louisiana, United States

Population8,638
Coordinates30.1011400, -90.9941200
Altitude7
CountryUnited States
Lafayette

#2 Lafayette

The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.

Population126,535
Coordinates30.2240900, -92.0198400
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Start: West 10th Street (-90.994094, 30.101117)
End: South Buchanan Street (-92.019794, 30.224075)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 138 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.03 gal
11.47 L · about $11.47
Round trip
$22.95
6.06 gal · 22.94 L
Estimated CO2
26.9 kg one way
Round trip: 53.9 kg / 119 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $11.47 $22.95
Mid-grade $4.26 $12.90 $25.81
Premium $4.63 $14.01 $28.03
Diesel $5.42 $16.41 $32.81

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 · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Donaldsonville and Lafayette. The current time is 07:27:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.