From DeRidder, the route heads southeast on LA 26. The first kilometres stay rural: pines, scattered houses, driveways, roadside ditches and long sections without a town centre. Near Mittie, the road crosses Whiskey Chitto Creek, then the Calcasieu River shortly before Oberlin. Oberlin is the main stop of the day and works best as a planned break. After that, the terrain becomes flatter and more open. The route crosses the edge of the Cajun Prairie: fields, drainage ditches, farm roads, small settlements and very little climbing. Before Eunice, buildings become more frequent. The town is closely tied to Cajun culture, prairie history and music, and gives the stage reliable services after more than 100 kilometres.
