Louisiana Travel Alert: ‘Chronic Delays’ On I-10 Likely

Interstate 10 is the lifeblood of America’s energy industry. It’s also a major lifeline for goods and services that need to be transported to or from the southern part of the United States. In Louisiana, this vital roadway connects the major cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles. And for a lot of motorists in Louisiana, it’s a nightmare to drive.

Depending on who you ask you would get several correct answers to the question “What’s the worst part about driving on I-10”? Someone in Lake Charles might say the bridge over the Calcasieu River and the fact that its “integrity” has been questioned is the reason they avoid I-10. In Lafayette, the answers might lean more toward the notorious traffic tie-ups that the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge has been known to spawn.

Motorists who travel through Baton Rouge could just simply cite the bridge and traffic and in New Orleans, you can add even more traffic, more confusion, and a few more bridges to the reasons that we all choose to avoid I-10 in our own state. However, with holiday travel now just weeks away, there is another stretch of I-10 that many in Louisiana will have to contend with.

Just across the state line to the east in Missississippi is where transportation officials are urging I-10 motorists to pack their patience and drive with extra caution. Just a few miles out of Louisiana and into Harrison County Mississippi you’ll come across the upgraded I-10 interchange at Menge Avenue.

That is the exit for the new Harrison County location of Buc-ee’s travel center and it is currently causing major headaches for motorists who are attempting to pass through the area on the way to Florida or on the way back to Louisiana. Mississippi’s Department of Transportation is suggesting that delays of an hour to an hour and half could be possible in and around the construction site.

MDOT reported similar slowdowns on Friday as showers and thunderstorms complicated the driving conditions. The new Buc-ee’s is expected to open in spring of 2025 but road construction in and around the site will create traffic delays along I-10 up until the new store has opened.

Then it’s possible there could be additional traffic tie-ups as consumers flock to the new Buc-ee’s to see what they have to offer. So, as you plan for football getaways, Thanksgiving trips, and Christmas Holiday travel, you should include a little extra time if you’ll be taking I-10 from Louisiana through Mississippi, at least for the next few months.