New rules for political content in signatures and user profiles. See this thread for details.
Pre I-49, from Alexandria to Baton Rouge, US 71 to 190 was definitely the straighter shot. It’s still definitely fewer miles than using I-49 to 190. Now from Shreveport to Alexandria I think it depends. If you wanted fewer places to slow down for small towns then take LA 1. The only places now with a speed limit change are Natchitoches, Natchez and Boyce. If you wanted towns and services then US 71 has the better route. There’s a little more variety of scenery on 71, too. iPhone
Before LADOTD mucked up the numbers, LA 1 was the old Jefferson Highway.