How far is Metairie, LA from Gretna, LA?
The driving distance from Metairie, LA to Gretna, LA is about 12.2 miles (19.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 7.6 miles (12.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 18m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The most populous city in Louisiana and the center of the New Orleans metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Metairie and Gretna.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie and Gretna.
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1
Start on Fagot Avenue
34 m · 5 sec · Fagot Avenue
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2
Continue on 47th Street
834 ft · 40 sec · 47th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
87 m · 17 sec · North Causeway Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto 46th Street
14 m · 4 sec · 46th Street
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5
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
3247 ft · 1 min · North Causeway Boulevard
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: New Orleans, Baton Rouge
130 m · 12 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: New Orleans
2181 ft · 53 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: New Orleans
902 ft · 22 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 2 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
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12
Continue on Crescent City Connection
1.1 km · 1 min · Crescent City Connection
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13
Continue on Westbank Expressway
2 mi · 3 min · Westbank Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Stumpf Boulevard
1396 ft · 34 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Westbank Expressway
2603 ft · 60 sec · Westbank Expressway
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16
Turn right
759 ft · 38 sec
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto 11th Street
20 m · 5 sec · 11th Street
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18
Turn right onto Richard Street
52 m · 7 sec · Richard Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Richard Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Metairie and Gretna.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
3.54 mi · 00h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Metairie and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gretna.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Metairie to Gretna?
The road trip is about 12.2 miles (19.7 km) and usually takes 00h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
New Orleans is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.1 miles from Metairie and 6.1 miles from Gretna.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 7.6 miles (12.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.63 one way or $3.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Metairie and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gretna.
Stop Ideas Near New Orleans
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 New Orleans.
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal
Slidell
Hammond
Picayune
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Metairie and Gretna. Straight-line distance: 7.62 mi (12.26 km).
#1 Metairie
The most populous suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana.
| Population | 138,481 |
| Coordinates | 29.9840900, -90.1528500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gretna
Suburb city of New Orleans
| Population | 17,615 |
| Coordinates | 29.9146500, -90.0539600 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gretna (-90.05396, 29.91465)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 20 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $1.63 | $3.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $1.83 | $3.66 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $1.99 | $3.98 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $2.33 | $4.66 |
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.