Christmas and New Year road trip
Chicago to New Orleans for Christmas and New Year
- Distance
- 925 mi
- Driving
- 14 hrs + traffic
- Halfway
- Memphis
The next Christmas and New Year lands on Friday, December 25, 2026. On I-55, the heaviest traffic usually hits the weekend before Christmas and January 2. Check mountain pass and winter weather the night before every leg.
Plan this drive in XCRSNBook the halfway night early
Memphis sits about 530 miles from Chicago and 395 miles from New Orleans. Holiday weekends sell out the rooms near the highway first.
Total trip cost
Gas uses today's regional averages along this route. Add the nightly rate you find to see the full total.
- Gas, about 925 miles
- Checking prices
- Lodging, 1 night
- Add a rate
- Estimated total
- -
Along the way
- Beale Street and Graceland
- Mississippi Blues Trail markers
- Lake Pontchartrain causeway
Full drive guide for this route
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