re: What was louisiana like before the interstate?

lots of two lane roads. Alex to S'port was either via 71 or 1. If yiu were going to Dallas from S'port you got on HWY 80 whice was four lane as you hit TX.

For BR most took 71 from Alex until it got to 190.

Lafayette from Alex Hwy 167.

We put up with the two lanes as there was nothing else at the time. Then I 10 and I 20 git built. I 49 would come along some years later. The old days were ok in terms of car travel but with what we have now, I sure as hell wouldn't want to return to those days in terms of the Hwy factor.