How far is Baldwin, LA from Lake Charles, LA?

The driving distance from Baldwin, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 118.6 miles (190.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
118.59 mi
01h 57m
Flight
102.64 mi
165.18 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Baldwin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
102.64 mi
Kilometers
165.18 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
118.59 mi
Kilometers
190.85 km
Drive Time
01h 57m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Mon, May 4, 8:10 PM CDT
Return by in Baldwin
Mon, May 4, 10:08 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Baldwin
2026-05-04T18:12
Arrive Lake Charles
Mon, May 4, 8:10 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Baldwin
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Rayne
LA

City in Louisiana, United States

From Baldwin
59 mi
00h 58m
To Lake Charles
59.6 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
80°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Baldwin and Lake Charles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Baldwin and Lake Charles.

  1. 1

    Start on Live Oak Street

    40 m · 8 sec · Live Oak Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1505 ft · 30 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto State Route 83

    1 mi · 2 min · State Route 83

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    3093 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    28.6 mi · 31 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1083 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1888 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    2246 ft · 29 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1189 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1056 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight left toward Young Street

    771 ft · 21 sec · Young Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Young Street

    1807 ft · 38 sec · Young Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto St Etienne Road

    1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

    609 ft · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Morgan Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway

    1065 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    48 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

  20. 20

    Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    4.1 mi · 8 min · East University Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left

    1682 ft · 41 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    70.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  25. 25

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  26. 26

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Baldwin and Lake Charles.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East University Avenue
74.5 mi · 63%
State Route 83
30.2 mi · 25%
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.68 mi · 2%
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 2%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
South Morgan Avenue
1.56 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

East University Avenue

Merge slight left

70.1 mi · 01h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.9 mi
102.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rayne
00h 58m from Baldwin
Leave By
2:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Baldwin and Mostly Sunny near Lake Charles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Baldwin to Lake Charles?

The road trip is about 118.6 miles (190.9 km) and usually takes 01h 57m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Rayne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59 miles from Baldwin and 59.6 miles from Lake Charles.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.83 one way or $31.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Baldwin and Mostly Sunny near Lake Charles.

Stop Ideas Near Rayne

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Rayne, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rayne.

RAIL

Lafayette

24 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

New Iberia

50 mi away
West Washington St.
RAIL

Lake Charles

91 mi away
100 Ryan Street
BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

107 mi away
1253 Florida St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Baldwin and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 102.64 mi (165.18 km).

Baldwin

#1 Baldwin

City in Louisiana, United States of America

Population2,150
Coordinates29.8379800, -91.5442800
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Lake Charles

#2 Lake Charles

The second most populous city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.

Population78,433
Coordinates30.2130900, -93.2044000
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Live Oak Street (-91.54427, 29.83787)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 191 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.18 gal
15.84 L · about $15.83
Round trip
$31.66
8.36 gal · 31.68 L
Estimated CO2
37.1 kg one way
Round trip: 74.3 kg / 164 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $15.83 $31.66
Mid-grade $4.26 $17.80 $35.61
Premium $4.63 $19.33 $38.67
Diesel $5.42 $22.63 $45.27

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Louisiana · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Baldwin and Lake Charles. The current time is 18:12:45.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.