How far is Gretna, LA from Alexandria, LA?
The driving distance from Gretna, LA to Alexandria, LA is about 208 miles (334.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 171.8 miles (276.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 29m 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 14m.
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.
City in Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gretna and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna and Alexandria.
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1
Start on Richard Street
52 m · 13 sec · Richard Street
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2
Turn left onto 11th Street
93 m · 15 sec · 11th Street
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3
Turn right onto Evergreen Drive
986 ft · 51 sec · Evergreen Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Westbank Expressway
2019 ft · 46 sec · Westbank Expressway
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5
Take the ramp straight toward US 90 Business East
1530 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Westbank Expressway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Westbank Expressway
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7
Continue on Crescent City Connection
1 km · 58 sec · Crescent City Connection
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8
Continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
80.6 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
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9
Keep slight left
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward LA 415: Lobdell
1842 ft · 45 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on LA 415: Lobdell
97 m · 8 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi · 5 min · North Lobdell Highway
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13
Merge slight left onto State Route 1
49 mi · 1 hr 3 min · State Route 1
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
1494 ft · 36 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
64.9 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward M L King Drive, Downtown Alexandria
1717 ft · 44 sec
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17
Continue on 10th Street
805 ft · 22 sec · 10th Street
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18
Turn right onto Murray Street
1757 ft · 1 min · Murray Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Murray Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gretna and Alexandria.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pontchartrain Expressway
Continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
80.6 mi · 01h 32m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gretna and Mostly Sunny near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gretna to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 208 miles (334.8 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Maringouin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.6 miles from Gretna and 104.4 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 171.8 miles (276.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 10:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.80 one way or $55.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Gretna and Mostly Sunny near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near Maringouin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maringouin.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lafayette
New Iberia
Hammond
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gretna and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 171.83 mi (276.54 km).
#1 Gretna
Suburb city of New Orleans
| Population | 17,615 |
| Coordinates | 29.9146500, -90.0539600 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
The capital of Louisiana.
| Population | 45,573 |
| Coordinates | 31.3112900, -92.4451400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Murray Street (-92.444972, 31.311153)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 335 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $27.80 | $55.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $31.26 | $62.52 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $33.95 | $67.90 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $39.75 | $79.49 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.