How far is New Orleans, LA from Lafayette, LA?

The driving distance from New Orleans, LA to Lafayette, LA is about 135.4 miles (217.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.7 miles (189.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 18m 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
135.37 mi
02h 09m
Flight
117.74 mi
189.49 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Orleans.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.74 mi
Kilometers
189.49 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
135.37 mi
Kilometers
217.86 km
Drive Time
02h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lafayette
Wed, Apr 22, 7:11 PM CDT
Return by in New Orleans
Wed, Apr 22, 9:21 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Orleans
2026-04-22T17:02
Arrive Lafayette
Wed, Apr 22, 7:11 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Orleans
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
Oak Grove
LA

Town in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana

From New Orleans
67.6 mi
01h 04m
To Lafayette
67.7 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Orleans and Lafayette.

  1. 1

    Start on Tulane Avenue

    12 m · 3 sec · Tulane Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Loyola Avenue

    1385 ft · 46 sec · Loyola Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Poydras Street

    2932 ft · 1 min · Poydras Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge

    1865 ft · 46 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    78.5 mi · 1 hr 30 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    52.6 mi · 1 hr

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 167: Morgan City

    1688 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1669 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on Northwest Evangeline Thruway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard

    1147 ft · 34 sec · Jefferson Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on Rue Jefferson

    1654 ft · 52 sec · Rue Jefferson

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest

    102 m · 17 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 10 West
131 mi · 97%
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
1.87 mi · 1%
Poydras Street
0.56 mi
US 167
0.32 mi
Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.32 mi
Rue Jefferson
0.31 mi
Longest Stretch

I 10 West

Merge slight left

78.5 mi · 01h 30m

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 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.7 mi
117.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oak Grove
01h 04m from New Orleans
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving New Orleans and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lafayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from New Orleans to Lafayette?

The road trip is about 135.4 miles (217.9 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?

Oak Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.6 miles from New Orleans and 67.7 miles from Lafayette.

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

The direct path is about 117.7 miles (189.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.10 one way or $36.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around New Orleans and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lafayette.

Stop Ideas Near Oak Grove

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 Oak Grove and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Plaza
Scenic stop 12.5 mi away

City Hall Plaza

Baton Rouge , LA
10, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Rating 4.3/5 10 reviews Park
Port Vincent Clerks Office
Practical stop 10.5 mi away

Port Vincent Clerks Office

Denham Springs , LA
18235 LA-16, Denham Springs, LA 70726
Garbage collection service
Baton Rouge City Hall
Meeting point 12.5 mi away

Baton Rouge City Hall

Baton Rouge , LA
222 St Louis St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Rating 4.3/5 10 reviews City Hall,Local government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 10.9 mi away

City of Baton Rouge Fire Station 15

Baton Rouge , LA
3150 Brightside Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Rating 3.5/5 2 reviews Fire station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oak Grove.

BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

24 mi away
1253 Florida St.
RAIL

Hammond

54 mi away
404 N.E. Railroad Ave.
RAIL

Schriever

65 mi away
Hwy 20 and Hwy 24
RAIL

New Iberia

89 mi away
West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Orleans and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 117.74 mi (189.49 km).

New Orleans

#1 New Orleans

The most populous city in Louisiana and the center of the New Orleans metropolitan area.

Population389,476
Coordinates29.9546500, -90.0750700
Altitude0
CountryUnited States
Lafayette

#2 Lafayette

The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.

Population126,535
Coordinates30.2240900, -92.0198400
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Start: Tulane Avenue (-90.07507, 29.954633)
End: South Buchanan Street (-92.019794, 30.224075)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 218 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.78 gal
18.08 L · about $18.10
Round trip
$36.20
9.56 gal · 36.16 L
Estimated CO2
42.5 kg one way
Round trip: 85 kg / 187 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $18.10 $36.20
Mid-grade $4.26 $20.36 $40.72
Premium $4.63 $22.11 $44.22
Diesel $5.42 $25.88 $51.77

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between New Orleans and Lafayette. The current time is 17:02:23.

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.