Louisiana road trip: New Orleans to Lake Charles, 2,234 km

Explore Louisiana's cultural and natural landmarks across a 2,234 km route spanning from New Orleans and the French Quarter through Lake Pontchartrain, Baton Rouge, and coastal bayous including Point-Aux-Chenes and Fort Pike. This comprehensive tour connects historic sites like St Louis Cathedral and Greenwood Cemetery with engineering marvels such as the Horace Wilkinson Bridge and natural wonders including Lake Charles and the Tchefuncte River.

Distance
2234.6 km
Mode
route
Start
Welcome to Louisiana
End
Bourbon Street
Stops
24
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Welcome to Louisiana
  2. Lake Pontchartrain — A breathtaking water landscape creating an oceanlike illusion.
  3. Audubon Park — Historic park with stately oak trees in New Orleans.
  4. Denham Springs — Flanked by the Amite River and draped in oak canopies, a hidden gem in Livingston Parish near Baton Rouge.
  5. New Orleans City Park
  6. St Louis Cathedral — The oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral in the United States, dominating Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
  7. New Orleans
  8. French Quarter
  9. Baton Rouge — Louisiana's capital, home to Louisiana State University and the LSU Museum of Art.
  10. Greenwood Cemetery — Established in 1852, caring for the burial needs of New Orleans for over 170 years.
  11. Lake Charles — Southwest Louisiana lake region.
  12. Horace Wilkinson Bridge — Engineering marvel spanning the Mississippi River, standing as one of the longest bridges in North America at over 4 miles.
  13. Point-Aux-Chenes — Bayou settlement in Louisiana.
  14. Fort Pike — Historic military fortification in Louisiana.
  15. Natchez-Vidalia Bridge — Historic cantilever bridge connecting Louisiana and Mississippi across the Mississippi River, important for regional transportation.
  16. Marine Corps Support Facility — Military installation supporting United States Marine Corps operations and personnel in southeastern Louisiana.
  17. Fort Proctor — 19th-century coastal fortification offering insights into Civil War military history and Gulf of Mexico defense strategies.
  18. Irish Bayou Castle — Unique structure in the Irish Bayou area of Louisiana.
  19. Tchefuncte River — River in southeastern Louisiana.
  20. Bayou des Allemands — Scenic waterway ecosystem showcasing Louisiana's distinctive swamp landscape, wildlife, and traditional bayou culture.
  21. Metairie Cemetery — Above-ground cemetery featuring ornate 19th-century tombs and mausoleums, reflecting the region's unique burial traditions and architectural heritage.
  22. Amite Riverware Kayak Trails — Kayak trails gliding under tupelo trees with fishing opportunities for catfish and bream.
  23. Jackson Square — Historic square in the French Quarter overlooking the Mississippi River, home to St. Louis Cathedral.
  24. Bourbon Street — The most famous thoroughfare renowned for nightlife, music venues, and festive atmosphere.

Useful for your trip

Tip
Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties, a unique French and Spanish colonial administrative legacy found nowhere else in the USA.
Transport
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is 23.87 miles long, the world's longest continuous span over water. Southern terminus is in Metairie, northern in Mandeville.
Tip
Lake Pontchartrain covers approximately 630 square miles and serves as a natural barrier protecting New Orleans from storm surges.
Tip
Audubon Park features oak trees over 250 years old, described as the oldest living history in New Orleans. The park opened in 1898.
Tip
Audubon Park includes a 1.88-mile multi-use paved trail loop around the central golf course, plus zoo, aquarium, tennis courts, and riding stables.
Tip
Denham Springs, founded in the late 19th century around mineral springs, features a historic downtown antique village with over 40 shops selling vintage and artisanal goods.
Tip
The Mississippi River moves about 500 million tons of cargo annually and handles over 60% of the nation's grain exports through Louisiana's ports.

Video on this route

Wonders of Louisiana | Secret Places Only Locals Know About | Travel Video 4K

More routes nearby

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