Flying to Monroe
Monroe is served by Monroe Regional Airport (MLU). The airport is very convenient to the university and the hotel.
Following the Delta-Northwest merger some year back, only three instead of four carriers serve Monroe (those of us who’ve been here a while have been missing the Memphis hub connection):
• Delta Air Lines (Delta Connection) via Atlanta
• United Airlines via Houston
• American Airlines via Dallas
Avis, Hertz, and National maintain rental car facilities directly in the airport.
Directions from the airport to the Clarion Hotel are on the Conference Lodging page.
Driving to Monroe
Please note: if it happens that you are traveling directly to the ULM School of Pharmacy instead of to the hotel, see directions at bottom.
Arriving from points West: Going east on I‑20, cross the Ouachita River, and exit at U.S. 165 northbound (2nd exit after the river); once you are on U.S. 165 N, turn right at first opportunity--the hotel will be immediately on your right.
Arriving from points East: Interstate 20, exit at U.S. 165 north shortly after you pass Pecanland Mall on your right; once you are on U.S. 165 N, turn right at the first opportunity--the hotel will be immediately on your right.
Arriving from points North: U.S. 425 south from Pine Bluff to Bastrop, U.S. 165 South to Monroe. After crossing the bayou bridge, do not turn left towards the ULM main campus at Northeast Drive; instead, continue on U.S. 165 south (which passes over DeSiard St.), continue through two traffic lights, then immediately turn right, loop under U.S. 165 on the access road, and the hotel will be immediately on your right.
Arriving from points North-Northwest: (1) Get to Shreveport, then I-20 East to Monroe; or (2) U.S. 82 from Paris, TX or Texarkana, TX to El Dorado, AR, then U.S. 167 South to Ruston and I-20 East to Monroe, and follow the “arriving from points West” directions above.
Arriving from points North-Northeast: U.S. 61 South from Memphis (or I-59 South to I-69 Southwest to Tunica) to Leland (U.S. 61 is now completely four-laned, and bypasses all but Cleveland, MS), U.S. 82 West thru Greenville, MS and Lake Village, AR to U.S. 165 South through Bastrop to Monroe. See “Arriving from points North” above. Or, be boring and burn more gasoline: take I-55 South, I-220 around the west side of Jackson, and I-20 West through Vicksburg to Monroe. Exit at U.S. 165 north; once you are on U.S. 165 N, turn right at the first opportunity--the hotel will be immediately on your right.
Arriving from points South: U.S. 165 from Alexandria; now entirely four-laned to Monroe. After you cross over I‑20, turn right at first opportunity, and you will see the hotel immediately on your right.
Arriving from points South-Southeast: U.S. 61 North from Baton Rouge to Natchez, U.S. 84/U.S. 425 West through Ferriday to Sicily Island and continuing north though Winnsboro to I-20 near Rayville, west to Monroe. This trip is now four-laned in its entirety. Exit at U.S. 165 north; once you are on U.S. 165 N, turn right at the first opportunity--the hotel will be immediately on your right.
Arriving from points Southwest: Sorry, you can't get here from thataway... OK, seriously: Option 1: U.S. 165 North from near Lake Charles to Alexandria is a much better trip than it used to be. Use the Woodworth cutover (LA 3265 – short and good road) east to I-49, north to the Pineville Expressway, exit onto U.S. 165 North at Pineville, continue to Monroe. After you cross over I‑20, turn right at first opportunity, and you will see the hotel.
Option 2: U.S. 59 North from Houston area. Stay on U.S. 59 (but take bypass) at Nacodoches, continuing north to Carthage. Exit northeast on U.S. 79, and onto I‑20 East just after entering Louisiana. Continue on I‑20, cross the Ouachita River, pass downtown Monroe, and exit at U.S. 165 north; once you are on U.S. 165 N, turn right at the first opportunity--the hotel will be immediately on your right.
Driving to ULM School of Pharmacy
Directions from I‑20 on 18th Street north to the ULM School of Pharmacy (1800 Bienville Dr.): From the traffic signal at the end of the exit ramp, continue up and over the railroad yard, and proceed straight through the next two traffic signals (DeSiard St. and Washington St.). At the next traffic signal (Louisville Ave.), turn right (East). Proceed two blocks to the first traffic signal (just past the Toyota dealership at your left), where you will turn left (north) onto Oliver Road. Proceed to the second traffic signal (Tower Drive), and turn right (just before IberiaBank). The road curves to the left and then to the right, after which you will immediately turn left onto Bienville Drive. The college will be on your right; park anywhere not marked as a handicapped spot.
Directions from U.S. 165 on Louisville Ave. west to the ULM School of Pharmacy (1800 Bienville Dr.): Continue through two traffic signals ((1) Betin/FedExOffice, (2) Breard St.), after which the road bends gently left; turn right at Lamy Lane (the street just after Walgreen’s Pharmacy and before the large WalMart). Continue to the next traffic signal at Armand St./Tower Drive, and turn left. Turn right at the first street (Bienville Dr.). The college will be on your right; park anywhere not marked as a handicapped spot.
Driving From Clarion Inn to Bayou Landing