How far is Lafayette, LA from Monroe, LA?

The driving distance from Lafayette, LA to Monroe, LA is about 184.5 miles (296.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158 miles (254.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m 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
184.5 mi
02h 55m
Flight
158 mi
254.28 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lafayette.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158 mi
Kilometers
254.28 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
184.5 mi
Kilometers
296.92 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 02h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Monroe
Sun, May 3, 2:49 PM CDT
Return by in Lafayette
Sun, May 3, 5:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lafayette
2026-05-03T11:54
Arrive Monroe
Sun, May 3, 2:49 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lafayette
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
Pineville
LA

Suburb city of Alexandria, located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana

From Lafayette
91.4 mi
01h 27m
To Monroe
93.1 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
49°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Rue Vermilion Ouest

    102 m · 22 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Rue Jefferson

    1654 ft · 51 sec · Rue Jefferson

  3. 3

    Continue on Jefferson Boulevard

    1447 ft · 47 sec · Jefferson Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Northeast Evangeline Thruway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Northeast Evangeline Thruway

  5. 5

    Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  6. 6

    Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

    76.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street

    1212 ft · 30 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway

    4.6 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe

    895 ft · 17 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on US 165 North: Monroe

    103 m · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Monroe Highway

    82.5 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Monroe Highway

  12. 12

    Turn straight

    5.9 mi · 10 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Ouachita Avenue

    2881 ft · 51 sec · Ouachita Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway

    3074 ft · 54 sec · Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway

  15. 15

    Continue on North 6th Street

    1643 ft · 35 sec · North 6th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Louisville Avenue

    628 ft · 18 sec · Louisville Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left

    14 m · 5 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    12 m · 3 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Monroe Highway
82.5 mi · 45%
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76.1 mi · 41%
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.77 mi · 5%
US 167 North
4.83 mi · 3%
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
1.86 mi · 1%
Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
0.58 mi
Longest Stretch

Monroe Highway

Merge slight left onto Monroe Highway

82.5 mi · 01h 36m

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
02h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.5 mi
158 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pineville
01h 27m from Lafayette
Leave By
12:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Lafayette and Clear near Monroe.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 184.5 miles (296.9 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Pineville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.4 miles from Lafayette and 93.1 miles from Monroe.

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

The direct path is about 158 miles (254.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 12:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.65 one way or $49.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Lafayette and Clear near Monroe.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Monroe. Straight-line distance: 158 mi (254.28 km).

Lafayette

#1 Lafayette

The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.

Population126,535
Coordinates30.2240900, -92.0198400
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Monroe

#2 Monroe

The most populous city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.

Population46,998
Coordinates32.5093100, -92.1193000
Altitude23
CountryUnited States
Start: South Buchanan Street (-92.019794, 30.224075)
End: North 4th Street (-92.119438, 32.509236)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 297 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.51 gal
24.64 L · about $24.65
Round trip
$49.31
13.02 gal · 49.28 L
Estimated CO2
57.9 kg one way
Round trip: 115.7 kg / 255 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $24.65 $49.31
Mid-grade $4.26 $27.73 $55.45
Premium $4.63 $30.11 $60.22
Diesel $5.42 $35.25 $70.50

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Lafayette and Monroe. The current time is 11:54:50.

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.