I took an overnight trip to New Orleans recently, and it brought up the question (again) of which route is better: Highway 90 or I-10?

I live in Youngsville, so when I leave from home, it makes more sense (in my brain) to take Highway 90. I live just 3 miles from Highway 90, so it's literally right there, easy-on and easy-off. Bumpity-bumpity until the Baldwin exit, but it's closer.  Some people, though, would rather take I-10. I thought that I would put the question out there and see what kind of responses I'd get.

I reached out on Facebook for feedback and here is a simple run-down on the numbers.

With almost 130 people responding, at least 115 of them prefer to take Highway 90!  Most of the reasons included:

  • Less traffic
  • Stopping at Frank's for Bloody Marys
  • Stopping at Frank's for other alcohol
  • Stopping at Spahr's for food and alcohol
  • Stopping to visit friends and family along Hwy 90
  • Alcohol
  • Stopping to see some sights along Hwy 90
  • Fear of getting stuck on the Basin Bridge
  • Alcohol

Baton Rouge traffic, Basin Bridge problems, "boring interstate" driving, stupid (out-of-state, probably) drivers, LSU games and more 18-wheelers were all complaints about I-10. The complaints about Highway 90 were few, but included some of the new construction and, of course, the condition of the road between Lafayette and the Baldwin exit (one gentleman enjoys the condition of the road. It reminds him that he is still in Lousiana, and claims it helps with his digestion!).

Google Maps Lafayette to New Orleans
Google Maps Lafayette to New Orleansnew orleans
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According to Google Maps (as of the time of writing this, 9:20am), the "quickest" route to MSY from the heart of Lafayette is I-10, at 2 hours and 7 minutes.  Highway 90 comes in second with 2 hours 33 minutes.  Highway 190 was listed as 3rd with the time of 2 hours and 44 minutes.

Many people who responded to the poll would gladly drive the extra 25 minutes to avoid any problems on I-10.

Some of the people responded with particular times. For instance: Betty Lindsey said that they take "90 mostly. If we are going West, we only go I-10 between 5 and 6:30 a.m. Never after 3 pm". Dennett Rodrigue said that it "depends on time of departure from lafayette. If you leave from 6 am to 8 pm hwy 90 from 8 pm to 5 am I-10". Sounds like a decent game plan!

What did I learn from this absolutely unofficial, totally unscientific, elementary-level unprofessional poll? Two things:

  1. It looks like the majority of the people around "these parts" take Highway 90 to go from our area to the New Orleans area, and
  2. It looks like the majority of the people around here really, really, really like alcohol.

With that being said, I'll see you on Highway 90 (and you'll, hopefully, have a designated driver)!

Oh, by the way, what is your favorite route? Are there any good reasons that you take the route that you take?

(Google Maps)

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