Shreveport to Biloxi Drive: Best Stops & Hidden Gems

Shreveport, LA and Biloxi, MS are separated by 330 miles of I-20, I-49, and I-59, a drive that typically takes 5 to 5.5 hours without stops. The route traces the northern edge of Louisiana's Cajun country before cutting southeast into Mississippi's piney woods and coastal marshes. What many drivers miss is that this highway was once part of the Old Spanish Trail, a historic 1920s auto route connecting St. Augustine, FL to San Diego, CA. Today, the drive offers a mix of bayou vistas, historic towns, and Gulf Coast charm that makes it far more than a simple A-to-B journey.

For those wondering how long to drive Shreveport, LA to Biloxi, MS, the answer is about 5 hours of pure driving time. But is it worth driving Shreveport, LA to Biloxi, MS? Absolutely, especially if you build in time for the best stops Shreveport, LA to Biloxi, MS. This guide covers things to do between Shreveport, LA and Biloxi, MS and shows you how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Road quality is generally good, with well-maintained asphalt on interstates. Watch for deer at dawn/dusk, especially near Kisatchie and De Soto forests. Louisiana has a high accident rate on I-49 due to speeding and DUI; drive cautiously. Mississippi I-59 is safer but has long stretches of rural monotony that can induce fatigue.

For families, the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport (with giant diorama), the Sci-Port Discovery Center (planetarium and hands-on science), and the Biloxi Lighthouse are hits. Pets are welcome at most state parks and rest areas; keep pets leashed and carry water. Avoid leaving pets in hot cars, especially in Louisiana's humid summer.

• Family-friendly stops: Natchitoches' historic district (cane riverboat rides), Hattiesburg Zoo (small but interactive).
• Pet-friendly stops: Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area (leashed hiking), Biloxi's Dog Beach on Biloxi Bay.
• Fatigue management: Stop every 2 hours. Good break areas: Ruston's Railroad Park (picnic benches), Columbia's Blueberry Hill Country Store (coffee and treats).
• Safety: Carry a paper map as cell service fades near forested zones. Always lock valuables out of sight.

The journey crosses three distinct physiographic regions: the Red River Valley piney woods, the Mississippi River floodplain, and the Gulf Coast marshes. Kisatchie National Forest near Alexandria offers trails through longleaf pine savannas and bayous. Further east, the Mississippi Petrified Forest near Flora (exit 50 off I-20) showcases 36-million-year-old logs turned to stone.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are absent on this exact route, but nearby Poverty Point (northeast of Monroe) is a UNESCO site with ancient earthworks. For a detour, head 30 miles north of I-20 at Delhi to see the mounds. Alternatively, the French Quarter in New Orleans (south of I-10) is a World Heritage treasure, but that's a 2-hour side trip from Biloxi.

• Kisatchie National Forest: Wild Azalea Trail for hiking, fishing at Coyote Lake.
• Mississippi Petrified Forest: $10 adult admission, self-guided tour with petrified wood specimens.
• De Soto National Forest: Black Creek Trail, kayaking on the Tchoutacabouffa River.

The primary route uses I-20 east from Shreveport to I-49 south near Alexandria, then I-59 south through Mississippi to I-10 east into Biloxi. Alternate detours include LA 1 along the Cane River or US 11 for a more scenic but slower ride. Expect tolls only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway if you take that scenic alternative, but the main route is toll-free.

Fuel economy along I-20 and I-59 is excellent, with gas stations roughly every 20 miles in Louisiana and every 15 miles in Mississippi. Average fuel costs for a standard sedan are about $35-45 one-way. Rest stops are plentiful, with Louisiana Welcome Centers at mile markers 13 (westbound) and 172 (eastbound) on I-20. Mississippi offers rest areas near the Hattiesburg exit.

• Louisiana Rest Stops: I-20 East near Ruston (MM 86) provides picnic tables and clean facilities.
• Mississippi Rest Stops: I-59 South at Lumberton (MM 39) has vending machines and dog walking areas.
• Speed limits: 70 mph in Louisiana rural, 65 mph in Mississippi, with heavy enforcement near construction zones.