How far is Houma, LA from Natchitoches, LA?

The driving distance from Houma, LA to Natchitoches, LA is about 245.1 miles (394.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 205.3 miles (330.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
245.11 mi
04h 39m
Flight
205.3 mi
330.4 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Houma.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
205.3 mi
Kilometers
330.4 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
245.11 mi
Kilometers
394.47 km
Drive Time
04h 39m

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 04h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Natchitoches
Wed, May 13, 8:56 PM CDT
Return by in Houma
Thu, May 14, 1:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Houma
2026-05-13T16:16
Arrive Natchitoches
Wed, May 13, 8:56 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Houma
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Opelousas
LA

Parish seat of St.

From Houma
122.6 mi
02h 19m
To Natchitoches
122.5 mi
02h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph N
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Houma and Natchitoches.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houma and Natchitoches.

  1. 1

    Start on School Street

    14 m · 7 sec · School Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Barrow Street

    1245 ft · 46 sec · Barrow Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Avenue

    7.4 mi · 14 min · Park Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left

    109 m · 15 sec

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight

    1676 ft · 41 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Raceland-M C Express

    82.2 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Raceland-M C Express

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1083 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1888 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    2246 ft · 29 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1189 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1056 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward Young Street

    771 ft · 21 sec · Young Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Young Street

    1807 ft · 38 sec · Young Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto St Etienne Road

    1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

    609 ft · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Morgan Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway

    1065 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left

    48 m · 8 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

  21. 21

    Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway

    6 mi · 10 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway

  22. 22

    Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  23. 23

    Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

    119 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward LA 120: Flora, Cypress

    1959 ft · 48 sec

  25. 25

    Turn right onto LA 120

    1 mi · 2 min · LA 120

  26. 26

    Turn left

    9.1 mi · 14 min

  27. 27

    Keep slight left to continue on Rapides Drive

    1 km · 1 min · Rapides Drive

  28. 28

    Continue on Mill Street

    2555 ft · 43 sec · Mill Street

  29. 29

    Turn slight right

    32 m · 4 sec

  30. 30

    Turn slight right onto Jefferson Street

    3256 ft · 57 sec · Jefferson Street

  31. 31

    Continue on Rue Front

    150 m · 8 sec · Rue Front

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rue Front

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Houma and Natchitoches.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
32 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
119 mi · 49%
Raceland-M C Express
82.2 mi · 34%
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi · 4%
Park Avenue
7.67 mi · 3%
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
5.97 mi · 2%
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.68 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

119 mi · 02h 01m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.8 mi
205.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Opelousas
02h 19m from Houma
Leave By
7:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Houma and Sunny near Natchitoches.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Houma to Natchitoches?

The road trip is about 245.1 miles (394.5 km) and usually takes 04h 39m 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?

Opelousas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.6 miles from Houma and 122.5 miles from Natchitoches.

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

The direct path is about 205.3 miles (330.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.8 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 7:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.76 one way or $65.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Houma and Sunny near Natchitoches.

Stop Ideas Near Opelousas

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 Opelousas and the surrounding midpoint area.
Port Barre Park
Scenic stop 7.9 mi away

Port Barre Park

Port Barre , LA
129, 169 Park St, Port Barre, LA 70577
Rating 4.2/5 49 reviews Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 8.1 mi away

Washington Town Hall

Washington , LA
405 N Washington St, Washington, LA 70589
Rating 1.4/5 5 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 12.7 mi away

City Carencro Water Department

Carencro , LA
210 E St Peter St, Carencro, LA 70520
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Opelousas.

RAIL

Lafayette

35 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

New Iberia

63 mi away
West Washington St.
BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

87 mi away
1253 Florida St.
RAIL

Lake Charles

114 mi away
100 Ryan Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Houma and Natchitoches. Straight-line distance: 205.3 mi (330.4 km).

Houma

#1 Houma

Only incorporated city and parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States

Population32,467
Coordinates29.5957700, -90.7195300
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Natchitoches

#2 Natchitoches

Small city and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States

Population17,190
Coordinates31.7607200, -93.0862700
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
Start: Houma (-90.71953, 29.59577)
End: Natchitoches (-93.08627, 31.76072)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 394 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.65 gal
32.74 L · about $32.76
Round trip
$65.52
17.3 gal · 65.48 L
Estimated CO2
76.9 kg one way
Round trip: 153.7 kg / 339 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $32.76 $65.52
Mid-grade $4.26 $36.84 $73.68
Premium $4.63 $40.01 $80.01
Diesel $5.42 $46.84 $93.68

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Houma and Natchitoches. The current time is 16:16:25.

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.