Transportation in Lafayette, Louisiana
Traveling to and from Lafayette Parish is easy due to the city’s strategic location at the intersection of interstates 10 and 49. Currently underway, the I-49 Connector project will revitalize the city’s gateway and provide a critical transportation link. Lafayette can also be reached by three railways, Lafayette Regional Airport and the Intracoastal Waterway.
By water
Six ports are located within 70 miles of the city, including West St. Mary, Vermilion, Iberia, Greater Baton Rouge Twin Parish and Port of Lake Charles. Fifty miles east of Lafayette, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge has the most channel depth at 45 feet and is located at the convergence of the Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Located just 20 miles south, the Port of Iberia offers a channel depth of 13 feet and has expanded its waterfront property to offer 2,000 acres of strategically located industrial and manufacturing space.
By road
A central location for major distribution centers, Lafayette has an abundant supply of carriers from FedEx to UPS and Roadway. Within the city, the Lafayette Transit System operates day and night service from 5:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. All buses are ADA accessible, have audio stop announcements and security cameras.
By air
Lafayette Regional Airport has three runways — the longest coming in at 8,001 feet — and is serviced by American Airlines, Delta, United and Frontier, with 18 departures daily. The airport is undertaking a multi-year, more than $100 million project to build new terminal facilities and improve services to enhance the experience for the traveling public.
Acadiana Regional Airport is located 13 miles to the southeast in New Iberia. The airport, and its 125-acre Industrial Park, features true intermodal transportation opportunities, including an 8,000-foot lighted runway, 5,000-foot lighted seaway, an on-site Louisiana Delta rail spur and easy access to Highway 90. In 2017, this airport celebrated the opening of its first passenger terminal and has more plans for expansion.
By rail
Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railways and Louisiana & Delta Railroad all service Lafayette, carrying freight to Houston, New Orleans and other surrounding areas. Amtrak offers passenger service from Lafayette to Los Angeles in the west and Orlando, Florida, in the east. wCycle LafayetteLafayette is quickly becoming a bike-friendly city thanks to organizations like Bike Lafayette and T.R.A.I.L. New bike lanes can be found throughout the city, along with increased awareness and safety measures for cyclists, who have the option to transport their bicycles aboard city buses for free.