Texas → Louisiana · Interstate 45 (Gulf Freeway)
What does it actually cost to drive from Houston, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana? The hard numbers: 603 km (375 miles) of pavement primarily along Interstate 45 (Gulf Freeway), 5h 45m behind the wheel, and roughly $50.42 in fuel alone — that is 54.8 liters (14.5 gallons) of regular unleaded at a 0.92 USD/liter benchmark. Anyone leaving Houston, the fourth-largest US city and energy capital of the world, typically carries samples, signed proposals, or service equipment to deliver in New Orleans, the Mississippi River delta port and the birthplace of jazz music, and aims to be home the same evening. It is worth confirming whether the haul fits inside your daily hours-of-service window or whether an overnight at a midpoint hotel makes more sense. Applying the IRS standard mileage rate (2025) mileage rate of $0.43/km ($0.69/mile), the gross outbound reimbursement settles at $259.29. Attach the visit purpose, client name, and plate number to the Clara receipt so the journal entry lands directly in the business-travel expense account.