How far is Jena, LA from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance from Jena, LA to New Orleans, LA is about 221.4 miles (356.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.8 miles (274.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 37m 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 48m.
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 Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jena and New Orleans.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jena and New Orleans.
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1
Start on Oak Street
1 mi · 2 min · Oak Street
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2
Continue on Oak Street
39 mi · 51 min · Oak Street
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3
Turn right onto East Wallace Boulevard
10.2 mi · 12 min · East Wallace Boulevard
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4
Continue on John R Junkin Drive
2.4 mi · 3 min · John R Junkin Drive
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5
Keep slight right
526 ft · 14 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Seargent Prentiss Drive
79.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Seargent Prentiss Drive
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7
Take the exit straight toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
2467 ft · 48 sec
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8
Continue on Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
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9
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
2897 ft · 36 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
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11
Merge slight right
74.7 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
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13
Keep slight right
2544 ft · 36 sec
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14
Take the exit slight left toward Poydras Street, Superdome
1368 ft · 37 sec
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15
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
1555 ft · 41 sec · South Claiborne Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
1639 ft · 42 sec · Tulane Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tulane Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jena and New Orleans.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Seargent Prentiss Drive
Merge slight left onto Seargent Prentiss Drive
79.3 mi · 01h 34m
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 Jena and Partly Sunny near New Orleans.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jena to New Orleans?
The road trip is about 221.4 miles (356.3 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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?
Saint Francisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.5 miles from Jena and 110.9 miles from New Orleans.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.8 miles (274.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.6 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 9:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.58 one way or $59.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Jena and Partly Sunny near New Orleans.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Francisville
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 Saint Francisville.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lafayette
Hammond
New Iberia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jena and New Orleans. Straight-line distance: 170.83 mi (274.93 km).
#1 Jena
Parish seat of La Salle Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 3,430 |
| Coordinates | 31.6832300, -92.1337400 |
| Altitude | 51 |
| Country | United States |
#2 New Orleans
The most populous city in Louisiana and the center of the New Orleans metropolitan area.
| Population | 389,476 |
| Coordinates | 29.9546500, -90.0750700 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tulane Avenue (-90.07507, 29.954633)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 356 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.58 | $59.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $33.26 | $66.53 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $36.12 | $72.24 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $42.29 | $84.58 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.