Louisiana driving guide

Planning on driving around Louisiana? We’re going to break down everything you need to know about the driving rules in Louisiana. From car seat requirements to speed limits and toll roads, find out everything you need to know about driving around the Pelican State.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Louisiana and other states
• Driving conditions 

Quick rules of the road

• Pedestrians have right of way in Louisiana. If they are jaywalking or crossing illegally, they still have right of way.
• If the windshield wipers are necessary, your headlights must be on.
• Headphones are not permitted. A single-ear headset is allowed, however.

Speed limits in Louisiana

Toll roads in Louisiana

There are several toll roads and bridges in Louisiana. Below you can find details on where they are and how much you can expect to pay for crossing.

Louisiana Highway 1 Bridge

Louisiana Highway 1 Bridge – also known as the Gateway to the Gulf Expressway – spans 43,600 feet, making it one of the longest bridges in the world. Tolls will need to be paid when you travel in both directions.

From: Leeville

To: Port Fourchon

Cost for cars: $3.75

Cost for trucks: $5.50 (price for three-axle vehicles)

How to pay: You can pay with cash at a toll booth or automatically pay using an electronic toll tag.

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

It can take around 25 minutes to cross Lake Pontchartrain Causeway from Metairie in New Orleans to Mandeville.

From: Metairie

To: Mandeville

Cost for car: $5.00 – or use the GEAUXPASS system and pay $3.00 with a toll tag.

Cost for truck: $7.00 (price for three-axle vehicles)

How to pay: You can pay with cash or a toll tag.

Driving ages and license requirements in Louisiana

• The legal driving age in Louisiana is 17.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Louisiana with Hertz is 20.

If you’re under 25, you can get access to a wide range of vehicles to rent with Hertz. However, you’ll be excluded from specialty vehicles from our Dream Car® collection, Prestige Collection and the Adrenaline Collection®. Find out more in our guide for renters under 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Louisiana

In your vehicle, you must have:

• Your driving license
• Proof of any insurances
• Proof of the rental agreement.

There are some items that are prohibited from being carried in your Hertz vehicle. For a full list of these items, please check your rental agreement.

Louisiana speed violations, infractions and penalties 

If found speeding in Louisiana, you can face a fine between $100 and $410. This amount increases by 50% if caught speeding in a school zone.

$2.00 is added to the fine for every mile you travel over the speed limit.

If caught speeding 21mph or more over the limit, you could be asked to attend a court case and risk losing your license.

Driving with children in Louisiana

• Infants under 24 months old should be in an infant car seat in the rear of the vehicle – away from airbags.
•  A rear-facing car seat must be used until the child is two years old.
• After the age of two, a forward-facing car seat can be used.
•  If a child is at least four years old and has outgrown the forward-facing height or weight limits, a booster seat with a lap-shoulder seatbelt can be used.
• Until the age of 13, a child should sit in the rear of the vehicle.
•  It is against the law to leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
•  If a child is a passenger, it is against the law to smoke in the vehicle.

Gas prices in Louisiana

The average gas price in Louisiana is $3.33 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.09 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Maxima, it works out at $0.12 per mile.
• And for an SUV like a Chevrolet Equinox, it’s around $0.16 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated October 28, 2022. 

Electric car charging in Louisiana

There are over 140 public EV charging Locations across Louisiana. Over the next five years, the state is set to receive around $73 million towards EV infrastructure, which should make it easier than ever to explore the state in an electric car.

Driving between Louisiana and other states

Planning on visiting some of Louisiana’s neighboring states? Good news, you can easily cross state lines in your Hertz car rental. So, whether you’re heading to Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi or further afield, you can do so in any Hertz vehicle.

Please note, you cannot drive into Mexico in any Hertz car rental.

Driving conditions in Louisiana

From May to September, Louisiana experiences its summer months with temperatures averaging 78°F daily. July is the hottest month of the year, so be sure to carry water with you if travelling long distances in the warmer months.

From November to February the colder months arrive with an average temperature of 48°F. Winter can present dangerous road conditions with a snowy, windy and very cold climate.