Location and Transportation


Natchitoches is centrally located in Northwest Louisiana – approximately one hour from the Louisiana-Texas border. The area is equipped with various transportation outlets – from highways and rail lines to waterways and airports – providing outstanding connectivity for residents, visitors and businesses traveling in and around Natchitoches.

Interstate 49 bisects Natchitoches Parish, connecting the community to Shreveport and Interstate 20, 72 miles to the north, and Alexandria, just 50 miles south. State Highways 1, 6, 478 and 494 provide ease of access for Natchitoches. In addition, U.S. Highways 71 and 84 are reachable just north of the city of Natchitoches, and State Highways 9, 117 and 120 provide access to all points of the Parish.

Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific rail lines, as well as the multi-modal Natchitoches Parish Port – the only slack water port on the Red River – serve the businesses of the region. General and corporate aviation services are available via the Natchitoches Regional Airport while commercial passenger flights are available at nearby Alexandria International Airport (AEX) and Shreveport Regional Airport.

Together, these valuable transportation outlets ensure efficient travel and transport to destinations throughout the parish and its outlying areas.