Dallas to New Orleans RV Trip — 7-Day Gulf Coast Route
Typical rate: $2,300-$2,900 all-in for two people, 7 days
Dallas to New Orleans RV trip via East Texas and the Gulf Coast is one of the great 7-day southeastern routes. Cajun food, bayou wildlife, and French Quarter culture in a varied route.
The route at a glance
- Length: 7 days
- Origin: Dallas, TX
- Destination: New Orleans, LA
- Distance: ~600 miles total
- Recommended class: Class C 26-30 ft (manageable on coastal roads, fits state park campgrounds)
- All-in budget: $2,300-$2,900 for two people
- Best months: October-April (avoid hurricane season + summer heat)
Day-by-day route
Day 1: Dallas pickup → Tyler State Park
- Morning: Pick up RV at Dallas rental
- Drive: Dallas to Tyler State Park — 95 miles, 1h 45min via I-20 East
- Afternoon: Set up at Tyler State Park; pine forest hiking
- Camp: Tyler State Park ($25-35/night)
Day 2: Tyler → Lafayette, LA
- Drive: Tyler to Lafayette — 250 miles, 4h via I-20 East and I-49 South
- Stops: Shreveport LA (Red River Crossing), Alexandria LA
- Afternoon: Lafayette set-up at KOA Lafayette
- Evening: Cajun dinner (Prejean’s or Randol’s restaurant)
- Camp: KOA Lafayette ($45-65/night)
Day 3: Lafayette / Cajun Country day
- Morning: Avery Island (Tabasco factory tour)
- Afternoon: Atchafalaya Basin swamp tour
- Evening: Live Cajun music at Mulate’s or local dance hall
- Camp: KOA Lafayette
Day 4: Lafayette → Baton Rouge / Plantation Country
- Drive: Lafayette to Baton Rouge — 60 miles, 1h via I-10 East
- Afternoon: Oak Alley Plantation OR Houmas House plantation
- Evening: Baton Rouge set-up
- Camp: Baton Rouge area campground ($40-65/night)
Day 5: Baton Rouge → New Orleans
- Drive: Baton Rouge to New Orleans — 80 miles, 1h 30min via I-10 East
- Afternoon: Arrive New Orleans; set up at New Orleans RV Resort & Marina
- Evening: French Quarter walking tour; dinner at Café du Monde for beignets
- Camp: New Orleans RV Resort & Marina ($65-95/night)
Day 6: New Orleans full day
- Morning: Garden District walking tour; Lafayette Cemetery
- Afternoon: Steamboat Natchez cruise OR Whitney Plantation
- Evening: Jazz at Preservation Hall; Bourbon Street experience
- Camp: Same as Day 5
Day 7: New Orleans + return
- Morning: Final beignets at Café du Monde; Jackson Square
- Late morning: Empty tanks at dump station, refuel
- Afternoon: Return rental at New Orleans (verify one-way pricing)
One-way pricing math
Dallas-to-New Orleans one-way:
- Cruise America: $400-$700 typical
- Outdoorsy / RVshare: rare; some owners allow for premium
The 525-mile return drive from NOLA back to Dallas is meaningful — most renters prefer one-way.
All-in budget breakdown
For two people, 7 days, Class C 26-28 ft:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $175/night × 7 nights | $1,225 |
| One-way drop-off fee | $400-$700 |
| Booking fees + insurance + cleaning | $400-$550 |
| Fuel (600 miles @ 8 mpg @ $3.55/gal) | $266 |
| Campground fees (state park, KOA, NO area) | $300-$450 |
| Plantation/swamp tours | $80-$160 |
| Food, propane, dining (Cajun food memorable) | $500-$800 |
| All-in 7-day trip | $3,171-$4,151 |
When this route shines
- Mardi Gras / Jazz Fest aftermath: post-event quieter, mild weather
- Cajun music season: spring and fall festivals (Festival International in Lafayette April)
- Food-focused trips: world-class regional cuisine throughout
When to skip
- Mardi Gras week itself (February): surge pricing 3-4x, inventory shortage
- Hurricane season (June-November): cancellation risk
- Summer (May-September): humidity and heat
Reservation timing
- Mardi Gras week: 4-6 months ahead for everything
- Standard weeks: 4-6 weeks ahead
- Festival weeks: 3-4 months ahead
Variations
Extended 10-day version
- Add 2 days at Gulf Shores, AL (continue east)
- Add Pensacola, FL stop
- Could end in Tampa or Miami
Reverse direction (NO to Dallas)
- Common pattern for return drives
- One-way drop-off in Dallas often available
Different launch
- Houston instead of Dallas (shorter drive to NO)
- Atlanta if continuing east
Class choice math
| Class | Dallas-to-NO fit |
|---|---|
| Class B | Fits everywhere; New Orleans parking flexibility |
| Class C 26-30 ft | Sweet spot — fits all campgrounds |
| Class A 32+ ft | Difficult in French Quarter area; private NO RV parks accommodate |
Bottom line
The 7-day Dallas-to-New Orleans Gulf Coast trip combines great food, music, and southern culture. Budget $3,200-$4,200 for two people including one-way fee. Class C 26-28 ft. Avoid Mardi Gras week unless attending.
See related: Texas state guide, New Orleans city guide, One-way RV rental guide.