Area Code 318 Location

Area code 318 serves Bossier City, Louisiana, and much of northern and parts of central Louisiana. Centered in northwest Louisiana along the Red River, Bossier City sits across from Shreveport and anchors a major hub on the I-20 corridor. The area is known for Barksdale Air Force Base, riverfront entertainment, and easy access to outdoor recreation. For anyone looking up phone numbers in this region, 318 is the code most associated with the Shreveport–Bossier metro and nearby parishes.

Major cities and landmarks covered by area code 318 include:

• Shreveport and Bossier City (Red River, Barksdale AFB)
• Monroe and West Monroe (Ouachita River, I-20 corridor)
• Alexandria and Pineville (central Louisiana hub)
• Ruston (home of Louisiana Tech University)
• Natchitoches (Louisiana’s oldest city)
• Poverty Point (UNESCO World Heritage Site near Epps)
• Kisatchie National Forest (spanning parts of the region)

This area code has a long history in the state’s phone network. It was established in the mid-20th century to serve northern Louisiana, and later adjusted when area code 337 split off the southwestern region in 1999. Today, 318 remains the primary code for the Red River Valley, the Monroe area, and central hubs like Alexandria, all in the Central Time Zone. Expect to see 318 on residential, business, and government phone numbers across these communities.

“Area code 318 was created in 1957 to serve northern Louisiana.” — North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA)