LA 81 proceeds westward out of Livonia, running parallel to US 190, and crosses the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) tracks at grade.

[2][3][4] Continuing west for 2.1 miles (3.4 km), LA 81 curves to the north briefly and enters the small community of Lottie.

LA 81 turns north opposite the Lottie post office and proceeds a short distance across a second grade crossing with the UPRR to an intersection with US 190 (Airline Highway).

[9][10] Two years later, the new route became part of US 190, which was extended west into Texas from its original terminus at the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge.

[11][12] Most of the old road running west from Lottie to the Atchafalaya River opposite Krotz Springs was abandoned shortly afterward.

[5][13] The remaining section of the current LA 81, running northward from Lottie to Fordoche, was designated as State Route C-1943 prior to the 1955 renumbering.

[3][16] La DOTD is currently engaged in a program that aims to transfer about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of state-owned roadways to local governments over the next several years.

[17] Under this plan of "right-sizing" the state highway system, the entire route of LA 81 is proposed for deletion as it does not meet a significant interurban travel function.