How far is Claiborne, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Claiborne, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 199.3 miles (320.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 169.9 miles (273.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The capital of Louisiana.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Claiborne and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Claiborne and Lake Charles.
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1
Start on Wallace Dean Road
11 m · 3 sec · Wallace Dean Road
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2
Continue on Well Road
1140 ft · 19 sec · Well Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Well Road
30 m · 2 sec · Well Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Well Road
956 ft · 16 sec · Well Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1532 ft · 38 sec
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6
Merge slight left
4.6 mi · 6 min
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7
Take the exit slight right
687 ft · 17 sec
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8
Keep slight right
156 m · 12 sec
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9
Keep slight right
72 m · 6 sec
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10
Turn slight right onto Jackson Street
5.6 mi · 9 min · Jackson Street
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11
Turn straight
23.3 mi · 27 min
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12
Continue straight
62.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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13
Continue on Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
3004 ft · 43 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
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14
Continue on Macarthur Drive
4.3 mi · 7 min · Macarthur Drive
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Masonic Circle
763 ft · 15 sec · Masonic Drive
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16
Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive
78 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Masonic Drive
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17
Take the exit right
2324 ft · 57 sec
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18
Merge slight left
12.9 mi · 14 min
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19
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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21
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Claiborne and Lake Charles.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Masonic Drive
Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive
78 mi · 01h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Claiborne and Partly Cloudy near Lake Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Claiborne to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 199.3 miles (320.7 km) and usually takes 03h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Alexandria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.8 miles from Claiborne and 101.5 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 169.9 miles (273.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.62 one way or $53.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Claiborne and Partly Cloudy near Lake Charles.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Claiborne and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 169.96 mi (273.52 km).
#1 Claiborne
City in Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 11,507 |
| Coordinates | 32.5159800, -92.1918000 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| 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: 321 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $26.62 | $53.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $32.51 | $65.03 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $38.07 | $76.13 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.