How far is Central, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Central, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 140.6 miles (226.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.4 miles (211.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 02h 17m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Suburb city of Lafayette, located in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central and Lake Charles.
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1
Start on Hooper Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Hooper Road
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2
Turn left onto Joor Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Joor Road
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3
Turn right onto Greenwell Springs Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Greenwell Springs Road
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4
Turn slight right onto Choctaw Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · Choctaw Drive
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5
Turn left onto Plank Road
3219 ft · 1 min · Plank Road
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6
Turn straight onto North 22nd Street
527 ft · 11 sec · North 22nd Street
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 110 South
988 ft · 24 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Lafayette
2244 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left
123.7 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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11
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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13
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central and Lake Charles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 10 West
Merge slight left
124 mi · 02h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Central and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lake Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 140.6 miles (226.3 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Scott is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.7 miles from Central and 70.9 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.4 miles (211.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 1:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.78 one way or $37.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Central and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lake Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Scott
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Parks City Hall
Lafayette Consolidated Government
Housing Authority of Lafayette
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Scott.
Lafayette
New Iberia
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lake Charles
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 131.33 mi (211.36 km).
#1 Central
Suburb city of Baton Rouge, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 29,450 |
| Coordinates | 30.5543500, -91.0367700 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Charles
The second most populous city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
| Population | 78,433 |
| Coordinates | 30.2130900, -93.2044000 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $18.78 | $37.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $21.12 | $42.25 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $22.94 | $45.88 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $26.86 | $53.72 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.