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

The driving distance from Colfax, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 124.5 miles (200.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 94.9 miles (152.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 18m 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
124.55 mi
02h 09m
Flight
94.94 mi
152.79 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Colfax.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
94.94 mi
Kilometers
152.79 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.55 mi
Kilometers
200.44 km
Drive Time
02h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Tue, May 5, 4:24 AM CDT
Return by in Colfax
Tue, May 5, 6:33 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Colfax
2026-05-05T02:15
Arrive Lake Charles
Tue, May 5, 4:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Colfax
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
Oakdale
LA

Small city in Allen Parish, Louisiana, United States

From Colfax
60.9 mi
01h 04m
To Lake Charles
63.6 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 8th Street

    15 m · 7 sec · 8th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2076 ft · 47 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 2nd Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · 2nd Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto Highway 8

    8.6 mi · 15 min · Highway 8

  5. 5

    Continue on State Route 8

    1.1 km · 1 min · State Route 8

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Belfast Avenue

    153 m · 12 sec · Belfast Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Wexford Street

    585 ft · 13 sec · Wexford Street

  8. 8

    Turn right

    1 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Take the ramp left

    1312 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    11.3 mi · 12 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 71, US 165: MacArthur Drive

    1018 ft · 19 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on US 71 South, US 165 South: MacArthur Drive

    2413 ft · 46 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Macarthur Drive

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Macarthur Drive

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Masonic Circle

    763 ft · 15 sec · Masonic Drive

  15. 15

    Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive

    78 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Masonic Drive

  16. 16

    Take the exit right

    2324 ft · 57 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    12.9 mi · 14 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  20. 20

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Colfax 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
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Masonic Drive
91.7 mi · 74%
Wexford Street
11.7 mi · 9%
Highway 8
8.55 mi · 7%
Macarthur Drive
3.56 mi · 3%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
2nd Street
1.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
02h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.6 mi
94.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oakdale
01h 04m from Colfax
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Colfax and Partly Sunny near Lake Charles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 124.5 miles (200.4 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?

Oakdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.9 miles from Colfax and 63.6 miles from Lake Charles.

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

The direct path is about 94.9 miles (152.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.66 one way or $33.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Colfax and Partly Sunny near Lake Charles.

Stop Ideas Near Oakdale

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Oakdale, 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 Oakdale.

RAIL

Lake Charles

83 mi away
100 Ryan Street
RAIL

Lafayette

90 mi away
133 East Grant St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Colfax and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 94.94 mi (152.79 km).

Colfax

#1 Colfax

Parish seat in Louisiana, United States.

Population1,431
Coordinates31.5190600, -92.7068200
Altitude29
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: 8th Street (-92.70689, 31.51903)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 200 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.4 gal
16.64 L · about $16.66
Round trip
$33.33
8.8 gal · 33.28 L
Estimated CO2
39.1 kg one way
Round trip: 78.2 kg / 172 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $16.66 $33.33
Mid-grade $4.26 $18.74 $37.48
Premium $4.63 $20.35 $40.70
Diesel $5.42 $23.83 $47.65

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Colfax and Lake Charles. The current time is 02:15:32.

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.