Take a ride through the piney woods and bayous of northeastern Louisiana as we follow U.S. Route 165 from Bastrop to Monroe. This 26-mile stretch weaves together rural charm, winding waterways, and the gentle arrival into one of Louisiana’s most prominent Delta cities, giving us a cross-section of Morehouse and Ouachita Parish life—where timber, tradition, and traffic all find common ground.
Our journey begins in the heart of downtown Bastrop, a community whose roots go back to 1852 when the town was laid out by Baron de Bastrop, a figure woven into the early fabric of Louisiana and Texas history. As we head west on US-165, the historic courthouse and tree-lined city blocks give way to more suburban outposts and industrial hints on the outskirts of town. Turning south at the junction with LA-592, we leave Bastrop behind and begin a gentle descent through pine flats and scattered farmlands. This part of the drive hugs the eastern edge of Bayou Bartholomew, which quietly flows southward—the longest bayou in the world, known for its biodiversity and shaded waters.
Continuing southwest, we arrive in Sterlington, a growing bedroom community that has seen a population boom in recent years due to its proximity to Monroe. At the intersection with LA-143, we begin to arc more directly south, signaling a shift in both geography and rhythm. The landscape here flattens and the bayous get wider as we start tracing the edges of Bayou DeSiard, a long, winding watercourse that meanders through woods and neighborhoods alike. As we pass the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the scenery takes on a more preserved, almost untouched character. The refuge offers birdwatching, fishing, and a serene boardwalk through cypress swamps—just out of view from the highway, but worth a detour for those with time.
Entering Monroe, the road crosses Bayou DeSiard and slips into the city’s northern neighborhoods. This is where urban infrastructure begins to rise around us, with subdivisions, commercial strips, and the hum of a regional hub. At the intersection with US-80, the traffic thickens and the layout becomes unmistakably metropolitan, yet Monroe still maintains its relaxed, river-town identity. Just beyond this, we reach the Interstate 20 interchange—a major east-west artery linking Shreveport to Jackson—and a key connector for regional travel. Finally, we continue a short way farther south before ending our journey at the LA-15 intersection, where US-165 continues toward the southern reaches of Monroe and beyond.
From timber towns and bayou bends to wildlife sanctuaries and city streets, this stretch of US-165 is a quiet yet meaningful slice of north Louisiana. It’s not just a drive—it’s a brief immersion into the rich intersections of ecology, economy, and community that define this part of the state. Whether you’re heading south to shop in Monroe or drifting north for a slower pace in Bastrop, this road has a way of tying it all together with a distinct Louisiana flavor.
🗺️ Route Map
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