How far is Ponchatoula, LA from Metairie, LA?
The driving distance from Ponchatoula, LA to Metairie, LA is about 45.2 miles (72.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.9 miles (57.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m 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 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Unincorporated suburban community and census-designated place in Saint John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ponchatoula and Metairie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponchatoula and Metairie.
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1
Start on Northwest Railroad Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Northwest Railroad Avenue
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2
Take the ramp straight
1020 ft · 25 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
23.7 mi · 25 min · Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
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4
Merge slight left
17.9 mi · 22 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard
588 ft · 14 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Causeway Boulevard South
1641 ft · 56 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto North Causeway Boulevard
1 km · 2 min · North Causeway Boulevard
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8
Turn left onto 46th Street
27 m · 6 sec · 46th Street
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9
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
87 m · 17 sec · North Causeway Boulevard
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10
Turn left onto 47th Street
945 ft · 43 sec · 47th Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fagot Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ponchatoula and Metairie.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Merge slight left onto Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
23.7 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Ponchatoula and Sunny near Metairie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ponchatoula to Metairie?
The road trip is about 45.2 miles (72.8 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Laplace is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.6 miles from Ponchatoula and 22.6 miles from Metairie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.9 miles (57.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 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 7:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.06 one way or $12.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Ponchatoula and Sunny near Metairie.
Stop Ideas Near Laplace
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 Laplace.
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal
Schriever
Hammond
Slidell
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ponchatoula and Metairie. Straight-line distance: 35.83 mi (57.67 km).
#1 Ponchatoula
City in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 7,545 |
| Coordinates | 30.4388000, -90.4414800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Metairie
The most populous suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana.
| Population | 138,481 |
| Coordinates | 29.9840900, -90.1528500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Avenue (-90.152849, 29.984102)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 73 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $6.06 | $12.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $6.81 | $13.63 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $7.40 | $14.80 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $8.66 | $17.33 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.