Girl, you are going to love the road trip from Dallas to New Orleans!
Think soul-stirring music, incredible Cajun comfort food, and scenic slices of the South as you roll through Texas into Louisiana.
We’re going to map out exactly how to do this road trip from Dallas to New Orleans <3
Why I’m Qualified to Write this Road Trip Guide
As a Dallas-Fort Worth native, over the past 12 years, I have driven the road trip from Dallas to New Orleans dozens of times.
My guide has the best detours for food, the traffic pinch points to avoid, and the hidden gems along the route so you can feel like you’re doing the classic road trip from Dallas to New Orleans like a local.
How long is the drive from Dallas to New Orleans?
The drive from Dallas to New Orleans covers about 530-550 miles, depending on your exact route.
You should budget around 8 hours of drive time without major stops.
Traffic can build around Dallas heading out and near Baton Rouge as you approach NOLA, so leaving early or later in the day helps a ton.
What is the halfway point between Dallas and New Orleans?
Technically, like mathematically, the halfway mileage point falls near western Louisiana, around Sandel.
However, there’s not much in Sandel.
I prefer to use Natchitoches as the middle point, because Fort Worth/Dallas is about 4.5 hours one way, and New Orleans is 4 hours the other.
Shreveport is also a reliable stop: You’ll find food, gas, and everything you need to power you through the rest of your road trip.
Top Cities between Dallas and New Orleans
Some of the best cities to explore on a road trip from Dallas to New Orleans include Tyler, Texas, known for its rose gardens, and Shreveport, Louisiana, with its riverfront.
Pick Natchitoches for its historic streets and French flair, Lafayette for its Cajun culture, or Baton Rouge for grand architecture.
Best Places to Stop Between Dallas and New Orleans
These are the best places to stop between Dallas and New Orleans, each with its own slice of something to do and eat:
Collins Street Bakery (Lindale)
Collins Street Bakery in Lindale is always my go-to food place on the road trip from Dallas to New Orleans.
I never pass through without grabbing something to eat, plus a sweet treat for the drive (usually a cookie or a fudgy brownie or 10 of each).
The bakery is known for its old-fashioned Southern desserts and friendly, small-town vibe.
Also, cute doors, Hallmark movie walls, and clean bathrooms.
Everything is baked fresh, and the smell of sweets hits you lke a hug the moment you walk in.
Collins Street is hands-down my favorite stop on this entire route!
Tyler, Texas
Called the Rose Capital of America, Tyler, Texas is filled with charm, parks, and small-town warmth.
Founded in the 1840s, Tyler became famous for its rose industry, which led to the now-famous annual Texas Rose Festival.
The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden blooms with thousands of roses each April and October.
Also, the Tyler State Park is a peaceful place for a walk or picnic any time of year.
This is an ideal early stop to stretch your legs, grab coffee downtown, and ease into road trip mode.
Texas State Line Rest Stop
Congrats!
Crossing into Louisiana from Texas is your first big milestone on the road trip.
The Texas State Line rest stop near Waskom is the perfect place to stretch your legs, snap a pic, and grab a vending machine snack before heading deeper into Cajun country.
It’s clean, easy to access, and has the giant Louisiana statue that everyone (myself included) takes pics at.
After this stop, the scenery switches from Texas pine forests to Louisiana bayous.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Staying (or stopping) in Shreveport gives you a mix of riverfront casinos and a chance to knock out the first chunk of the drive/get the hell out of Texas.
For a quick, fun thing to do, check out the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens, a charming riverfront mansion in Shreveport, where you can explore Coca-Cola history, art, and pretty, blooming gardens.
With easy access from I-20, Shreveport is a great halfway stop for gas or a place to sleep.
Natchitoches
Founded in 1714, Natchitoches is the oldest permanent European settlement in Louisiana and one of the prettiest small towns in the South.
Its French roots are easy to see in the historic downtown district, with brick-paved streets, romantic iron balconies, and a pretty riverfront.
Expect museums, local boutiques, and unique Creole architecture.
Make sure to stop at Kaffie-Frederick Inc., the state’s oldest general store, in operation since 1863.
Side Note: Natchitoches one of the best places to spend Christmas in the U.S.
Gibson
Gibson is a tiny Louisiana town near the site where the outlaws Bonnie and Clyde were shot.
Just a short drive away, you can visit the exact stretch of road marked by a memorial plaque that tells their story.
It’s one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it places that’s totally worth a stop for pics and a little slice of outlaw history.
Lafayette
Note: Lafayette is about a 26 minute detour from highway 10.
Lafayette is the heart of Cajun country.
Founded in 1821, Lafayette is called the heart of Acadiana.
Here, French, African, and Creole influences blend into something uniquely Louisiana.
Try gumbo, boudin, or crawfish étouffée while listening to live Zydeco (Cajun-Creole dance music from Louisiana).
Vermilionville Historic Village
Located in Lafayette, Vermilionville Historic Village is another fun stop on the road trip from Dallas to New Orleans.
This living history museum brings Louisiana’s 18th- and 19th-century Cajun and Creole cultures to life.
You can walk through restored homes, watch artisans create traditional crafts, and listen to live folk music.
Tabasco Factory, Avery Island
Visit the world-famous Tabasco Factory, where one of Louisiana’s most iconic products is made.
Since 1868, the McIlhenny family has produced Tabasco sauce right here, using peppers grown on the island.
Walk through the greenhouses, blending rooms, and bottling lines, ending in a tasting room.
Read: How to Plan a Road Trip in 7 Easy Steps
Jungle Gardens, Avery Island
Just minutes from the Tabasco Factory lies Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre nature preserve filled with wildlife and big tropical plants.
Jungle Gardens was created by Edward McIlhenny, the heir to the Tabasco brand. You can drive or walk through winding trails lined with mossy oaks, bamboo groves, and ponds.
If you love birds like me, you’ll be excited about the famous Bird City rookery, a sanctuary inside Jungle Gardens where hundreds of snowy egrets nest every spring.
Take a Self-Guided tour of Tabasco and Jungle Garden.
Baton Rouge
Founded in 1699, Baton Rouge, the state capital, blends old-world architecture with happy Louisiana energy.
A cypress pole covered in animal blood was once used by native peoples to mark hunting territories in the area.
When French explorers saw the striking red marker, they named the area “le bâton rouge,” which means “red stick,” in French.
The Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest in the U.S., gives panoramic views from its observation deck, while the Old State Capitol has a small museum.
Tip: Even if you’re just stopping for gas, hit the greetings from Baton Rouge mural at 359 Third Street. Its at the side of the building facing Laurel Street.
Oak Alley Plantation
Oak Alley Plantation is one of the most photographed landmarks in Louisiana.
Built in the 1830s, it’s famous for its breathtaking canopy of 300-year-old oak trees leading up to the Greek Revival mansion.
Once a sugarcane plantation, Oak Alley is now a museum offering an honest look at its history, including the lives of the slaves who worked there.
The grounds are stunning, the exhibits are powerful.
Where to Stay on a Road Trip from Dallas to New Orleans
A 9 hour drive can be a lot.
Most of the time I push all the way through, but I’ve also split up the drive from Dallas to New Orleans with a solid nights sleep.
These are my top picks for hotels near the halfway mark and right before New Orleans:
Stay at a Casino in Shreveport: you can’t go wrong with Sam’s Town, Bally’s, or Horseshoe Bossier City. Bally’s is my favorite for its marble floors, huge soaking tub, and fantastic prices.
Other Places to stay along the way:
- The Juliet Hotel (Lafayette): A chic boutique stay in downtown Lafayette with a cozy courtyard, and close to everything.
- Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge Downtown Riverfront (Baton Rouge): Centrally located with river views, walkable access to the State Capitol and museums, plus an on-site bar perfect for unwinding after the drive.
Check in
Let me know in the comments below where you’d most love to stop on your road trip from Dallas to New Orleans!
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