Louisiana Highway 1

### Counties

Jefferson, Lafourche, Assumption, Ascension, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupee, Avoyelles, Rapides, Natchitoches, Red River, Caddo

### Next route

LA 2

**Louisiana Highway 1 (LA 1)** is the longest state highway in Louisiana. It runs 431.88 miles (695.04 km) in a southeast to northwest direction from a dead end in Grand Isle to the Texas state line northwest of Rodessa. The highway continues across the state line as Texas State Highway 77.

## Route description

LA 1 is the longest state highway in Louisiana at 431.88 miles (695.04 km) in length, as well as the longest highway of any type in Louisiana.

### Thibodaux area

From the southeast, LA 1 begins at a dead end on the south bank of the Bayou Riguad, in Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, as an undivided two-lane highway. From there, it has an intersection with the northern terminus of LA 3151. LA 1 curves to the southwest, eventually reaching the southern terminus of LA 3151. It then passes through a neighborhood of beach houses, north of the Gulf of Mexico, and then serves the eight branches of LA 574. Shortly after, it crosses a bridge over the Caminada Bay, and then crosses into Lafourche Parish.

LA 1 crosses a wetland for the next 9.3 miles (13.3 km), becoming the Gateway to the Gulf Expressway at an intersection with LA 3090. It then crosses Bayou Lafourche, having an intersection with Old LA Highway 1 at Leeville. Gateway to the Gulf Expressway terminates at this point. From this point, LA 1 runs along the west bank of Bayou Lafourche. Shortly after, LA 3235 splits off from LA 1, and the two highways enter the town of Golden Meadow. LA 308, which runs along the east bank of Bayou Lafourche, begins shortly after. In Galliano, LA 1 intersects LA 3162, which ends immediately at LA 308. In Cut Off, the highway serves the eastern terminus of LA 3161. In Larose, LA 657 begins, and LA 1 crosses a bridge over the Gulf Intracostal Waterway. Then, the Belle Vue Swing Bridge begins, serving LA 3220. Shortly after, LA 1 enters Lockport, crossing a bridge over the Company Canal. In Matthews, LA 654 begins, and in Raceland, LA 1 briefly becomes a divided four-lane highway, before having a partial cloverleaf interchange with U.S. Route 90. It then downgrades to an undivided two-lane highway once again. It then has a brief 0.5 mile (0.8 km) concurrency with LA 182. In Saint Charles, the Saint Charles Swing Bridge connects LA 1 with LA 308. This swing bridge is signed as LA 649. LA 648 then intersects LA 1, ending at LA 308 immediately after. In Thibodaux, the parish seat of Lafourche Parish, LA 1 has a brief concurrency with LA 20. LA 3185 then intersects, and LA 309 has its eastern terminus at LA 1. Shortly after LA 1 crosses into Assumption Parish.

LA 1 serves the eastern terminus of LA 645, and LA 398. In Labadieville, the highway has a brief concurrency with LA 1247. In Supreme, LA 1011 intersects LA 1. Shortly after, LA 1 serves the eastern terminus of LA 400. The highway then has a brief concurrency with LA 1010. In Napoleonville, the parish seat of Assumption Parish, LA 1 serves the eastern terminus of LA 401. It then has a brief concurrency with LA 1008. LA 1007 ends at LA 1 shortly after. The highway then intersects LA 402. In Plattenville, LA 1 briefly becomes a divided four-lane highway and serves the western terminus of LA 70 Spur, before becoming an undivided two-lane highway once again. In Paincourtville, LA 1 intersects LA 403, and serves the eastern terminus of LA 1005. The highway becomes a divided four-lane highway for the third time, intersecting LA 70, becoming an undivided two-lane highway again. In Klotzville, LA 1 serves the northeastern terminus of LA 1003. It then serves the eastern terminus of LA 1000, and LA 999. In Belle Rose, it intersects LA 998. Shortly after, LA 1 crosses into Ascension Parish.

LA 1 intersects LA 943 north of the Assumption parish line. It then serves the eastern terminus of LA 944. LA 1 curves to the east, then to the north, entering Donaldsonville, the seat of Ascension Parish. In the city center, the highway serves the western terminus of LA 18, and the northern terminus of LA 3089. LA 1 then turns to the west, entering McCall, serving the north terminus of LA 943, and the southern terminus of LA 405. LA 1 then crosses the parish line into Iberville Parish.

### Baton Rouge area

LA 1 becomes a divided four-lane highway and enters White Castle, intersecting LA 69. It then intersects LA 993. In Bayou Goula, LA 1 intersects LA 69 again, this time serving the northern terminus of the latter. Shortly after, the median is replaced by a center turning lane. The highway also serves the eastern terminus of LA 992-3. In Plaquemine, the parish seat of Iberville Parish, the highway becomes a divided four-lane highway, with the northbound and southbound lanes over 500 feet (152 meters) apart at one point. It then intersects LA 75. LA 1251 starts from this point, as a connector route connecting LA 1 to LA 75. The highway also serves the eastern terminus of LA 3066, the southern terminus of LA 988, and the southern terminus of LA 77. North of Plaquemine, LA 1 has a brief concurrency with LA 1148, also serving the eastern terminus of LA 1148 Truck. LA 1 later crosses the parish line into West Baton Rouge Parish.

In Addis, LA 1 intersects LA 990, which connects to Main Street and Ray River Street in the west and LA 988 in the east. It also intersects the two branches of LA 989, serves the eastern terminus LA 3237, and the northern terminus of LA 988. The highway then crosses a bridge over the Gulf Intracostal Waterway. LA 1 enters Port Allen, the seat of West Baton Rouge Parish, and has an interchange with Interstate 10 (exit 153). I-10 heads west to Lafayette and east to Baton Rouge, the state capital of Louisiana. It serves the eastern terminus of LA 74, and also serves one of the three branches of LA 987. It also intersects LA 986. LA 1 intersects another branch of LA 987 at a point known as Sunrise. North of this point, LA 1 intersects and begins a concurrency with U.S. Route 190. It also serves the western terminus of the last branch of LA 987. Shortly after, LA 1 intersects LA 415, at a point known as Lobdell. The highway also serves LA 415 Spur. At a point known at Westover, LA 1 serves the northern terminus of LA 1145. It also serves the southern terminus of LA 983. In Erwinville, LA 1 intersects LA 413. LA 1 later crosses the parish line into Pointe Coupee Parish.

LA 1 leaves US 190 2 miles west of the parish line, and LA 1 heads north as an undivided two-lane highway. At a point known as Knapp, the highway serves the western terminus of LA 416. At that point, LA 1 turns west, paralleling the west bank of the False River. In Oscar, the highway serves the northern terminus of LA 978. In Parlange, LA 1 curves back to the north and serves the northern terminus of LA 78. In New Roads, the parish seat, there is a business route of LA 1 that once followed the original routing of LA 1. At the business route's northern terminus, LA 1 beings a concurrency with LA 10. At a point known as Labarre, LA 1 and LA 10 serve the western terminus of LA 420. In Morganza, LA 10 splits off to the west, and LA 1 continues north to cross a bridge over the Morganza Spillway. At a point known as Lacour Spur, LA 1 serves the western terminus of LA 972. In Batchelor, it intersects LA 419 and in Innis, it intersects LA 418. In Lettsworth, the highway serves the western terminus of LA 971. At a point known as Keller, LA 1 intersects LA 970 and also serves as the southern terminus of LA 15. At a point known as Legonier, the highway serves the northern terminus of LA 418. Almost immediately after, LA 1 crosses the Atchafalaya River into Avoyelles Parish.

### Alexandria area

In Simmesport, LA 1 becomes a divided two-lane highway and serves the northern terminus of LA 105. Shortly after, the median is replaced by a center turning lane. Shortly before crossing out of Simmesport the center turning lane disappears, and LA 1 becomes an undivided two-lane highway again. The highway continues west, and serves the northern terminus of LA 1183. After that, LA 1 serves the eastern terminus of LA 114 and the southern terminus of LA 451. In Moreauville, the highway intersects LA 451 again. LA 1 curves to the northwest, and serves the eastern terminus of LA 1186. In Mansura, LA 1 begins a concurrency with LA 107. In Marksville, the parish seat, the highway serves the southern terminus of LA 452. It intersects LA 1189 shortly after. LA 107 splits from LA 1 and becomes concurrent with LA 115, which intersects LA 1. After crossing out of Marksville, it serves as the western terminus of LA 1191 and LA 1192. LA 1 curves to the west, serving as the southern terminus of LA 453, and LA 1195. From here, LA 1 curves to the southwest. In Fifth Ward, the highway serves the western terminus of LA 1194, as well as a spur route of LA 1194. LA 1 curves to the west and then to the northwest, serving as the western terminus of LA 114. Shortly after, LA 1 crosses into Rapides Parish.

At a point known as Roxana, LA 1 intersects LA 457. In Richland, it serves the southern terminus of LA 1198. In Whittington, the highway serves as the eastern terminus of LA 3170. In Latanier, LA 1 intersects LA 457 again. The highway enters Alexandria, the parish seat of Rapides Parish, as an undivided four-lane highway. LA 1 also serves as the northern terminus of one of the five branches of LA 1208. Shortly after, LA 1 becomes a divided four-lane highway as a one-way pair. The southbound lanes assume 3rd Street, while the northbound lanes assume 2nd Street. It crosses under US 167, and the northbound lanes switch to Winn Street and the southbound lanes switch to Casson Street. The highway becomes concurrent with US 167 Bus. and LA 28 Bus. It also intersects mainline US 167 and LA 28. LA 1 / US 167 Bus. / LA 28 Bus. interchange with I-49 (exit 84). I-49 heads south to Opelousas, and runs concurrent with US 167 south until an interchange with US 71. US 167 Bus. leaves the concurrency heading south, with the southbound lanes running along Mason Street and the northbound lanes heading along Casson Street. LA 1 / LA 28 Bus. heads northeast, intersecting with another branch of LA 1208, becoming concurrent with US 165 Bus. LA 28 Bus. leaves the concurrency shortly after, and US 165 Bus. ends at an interchange with the concurrent US 71 / US 165 / LA 28 (exit 70). LA 1 continues northwest, running parallel to I-49, and shortly after, LA 498 Spur intersects LA 1. LA 1 then intersects LA 498 itself, connecting to I-49. At this point, LA 1 narrows to an undivided two-lane highway. The highway then leaves Alexandria, and enters Boyce, intersecting River Station Road (Parish Road 23), also connecting to I-49. After a few miles, LA 1 has another interchange with I-49 (exit 98), heading south to Alexandria. There is no direct entrance to I-49 north; connecting roads must be used to access I-49 north. LA 1 also serves as the eastern terminus of LA 1200. The highway then intersects LA 121. At a point known as Rodemacher, LA 1 intersects unsigned LA 8 Spur, connecting to I-49 and mainline LA 8. About 7 miles (10 km) later, LA 1 crosses the parish line into Natchitoches Parish.

Upon crossing the parish line, LA 1 intersects LA 3279. Shortly after, LA 1 runs concurrently with LA 490 for about 2 miles (4 km). It then intersects LA 495, serving its eastern terminus. LA 491 also intersects LA 1, at a point known as Cloutierville, however the junction is signed as LA 495. At a point known as Derry, LA 119 intersects LA 1. At Montrose, the highway has a brief concurrency with LA 493. At Cypress, LA 1 has a junction with two highways: LA 120, which connects to I-49, and LA 494. In the small village of Natchez, the highway intersects LA 119 again. After a few miles, LA 1 enters Natchitoches, the seat of Natchitoches Parish, and has an intersection with LA 478. Shortly after this intersection, LA 1 widens to a divided four-lane highway. Shortly after, LA 1 Business begins, heading north. Meanwhile, LA 1 heads west, as an undivided two-lane highway, crossing the Kansas City Southern Railway tracks. LA 1 then curves to the north, beginning a concurrency with LA 6. Here, LA 6 Business begins, heading east. North of this intersection, LA 1 junctions with two highways: LA 3191, and the LA 1 Business route. LA 6 leaves the concurrency shortly after, heading east, while LA 1 continues northwest. After a few miles, LA 1 enters Powhatan, intersecting with LA 485. After the intersection, the highway crosses into Red River Parish.

### Shreveport area

LA 1 intersects LA 174 at a point known as Lake End. At Armistead, the highway intersects US 371 and US 84. From this point, LA 1 begins a concurrency with US 84. At Gahagan, the highway intersects LA 177. US 84 leaves the concurrency at a point known as Grand Bayou, heading west. LA 1 continues north, intersecting LA 509. After this intersection, LA 1 crosses the parish line into Caddo Parish.

LA 1 curves to the northwest, having an intersection with Ellerbe Road. Shortly after, at a point known as Gayles, the highway widens to a divided four-lane highway and reaches the northern terminus of LA 175. After a few miles, LA 1 enters Shreveport, the parish seat and largest city in northern Louisiana. It has an intersection with LA 523. LA 1 passes by the Louisiana State University of Shreveport, and shortly after has an intersection with LA 526. The highways also intersects LA 511 (70th Street). LA 3032 has its western terminus at LA 1, heading east along Kings Highway to US 71 in Bossier City, at the entrance of Barksdale AFB. LA 1 turns west, then to the northwest, and enters Downtown Shreveport, becoming a one-way pair. The southbound lanes assume Market Street, and the northbound lanes run along Spring Street. The highway has an interchange with I-20 (exit 19A) and US 71 south. I-20 heads west to Dallas, Texas and east along with US 71 to Monroe. The two highways have an interchange with the concurrent US 79 / US 80 (Texas Street). Shortly after, LA 173 begins, heading southwest and west towards I-220. The two highways exit downtown, having an intersection with Airport Drive, heading north towards Shreveport Downtown Airport. The highway narrows to an undivided four-lane highway with a center turning lane, and shortly after intersects North Common Street (LA 3036). LA 1 / US 71 crosses over an abandoned railway, then intersects with the southern terminus of LA 3049. Then it has an intersection with Hearne Avenue, signed as LA 3094 southbound, and to Shreveport Downtown Airport northbound. LA 1 / US 71 passes by the Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College, and shortly after has a partial cloverleaf interchange with I-220 (exits 7A for LA 1 south and 7B for LA 1 north). I-220 heads west to Dallas, Texas, connecting to I-49 north towards Texarkana, and east towards Monroe. LA 1 / US 71 intersect two named roads: Martin Luther King Junior Drive (signed as LA 3194) and Ravendale Drive. After a few miles, US 71 leaves the concurrency at a split in North Shreveport. Shortly after, LA 1 has an interchange with the recently constructed I-49 segment towards Texarkana (exit 215). I-49 heads south to Shreveport and north to Texarkana. LA 1 then intersects LA 538 and after a few miles, the center turning lane is replaced by a median, and LA 1 intersects LA 173 as well. It also intersects with LA 169, narrows to an undivided two-lane highway, crosses a bridge over Caddo Lake, and intersects with LA 538 for a second time. In Oil City, LA 530 begins, connecting to LA 538 and heading east towards the small village of Belcher. Shortly after, LA 1 reaches the northern terminus of LA 538. South of Vivian, LA 1 begins a concurrency with LA 2, and the two highways run concurrently to Vivian. LA 2 splits off to the east, and LA 170 becomes concurrent with LA 1 from there until splitting off near the town center. In the village of Rodessa, LA 168 begins, heading east towards Ida and intersecting I-49. LA 1 curves to the northwest, continuing in that direction until reaching the Texas state line in the extreme northwestern corner of Louisiana, where the highway becomes Texas State Highway 77 (SH 77).

## History

In the pre-1955 Louisiana Highway system, LA 1 was made up of several routes, including:

* LA 620 from Grand Isle to Golden Meadow
* LA 622 from Golden Meadow to Larose
* LA 78 from Larose to Raceland
* LA 29 from Raceland to Donaldsonville
* LA 168 from Donaldsonville to its junction with US 190
* US 190 from this junction to a junction with LA 93
* LA 93 from its junction with US 190 to New Roads

W.I.P.

## Louisiana Highway 1 Business

Natchitoches business route highlighted in red

### Counties

Natchitoches

In Natchitoches, LA 1 Bus. follows the original route of LA 1 before its re-routing onto a bypass on the south and west side of town in 1975.

## Louisiana Highway 1 Business

New Roads business route highlighted in red

### Counties

Pointe Coupee

In New Roads, LA 1 Bus. follows the original route of LA 1 through the town center before its re-routing onto the former LA 3131. The route was bypassed in 2010 when construction of the new John James Audubon Bridge over the Mississippi River led to a realignment of highway routes in the area.