How far is Coushatta, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
Fastest route
To travel from Coushatta, Louisiana (zip code 71019) to Lake Charles, Louisiana, the fastest route takes approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes to cover a distance of 150 miles (241 kilometers) via LA-117 S and US-171 S. Below are the directions to reach Lake Charles from Coushatta:
Directions
- Head southeast on Front St toward E Carroll St.
- Take I-49 S to LA-6 W/University Pkwy in Natchitoches. Take exit 138 from I-49 S.
- Turn right onto US-84 W/E Carroll St, and continue to follow US-84 W until you reach US-371 S.
- Turn left to merge onto I-49 S, and then take exit 138 to merge onto LA-6 W/University Pkwy toward Many.
- Follow LA-117 S to US-171 S in Vernon Parish.
- Merge onto LA-6 W/University Pkwy, and continue to follow LA-6 W. Then, turn right onto LA-28 W/LA-8 W.
- Follow US-171 S to Ryan St in Lake Charles. Take exit 30B from I-10 W. Keep right at the fork and merge onto Ryan St, and finally, follow Ryan St to Kirby St, Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan your trip during off-peak hours to avoid traffic congestion and reduce travel time.
- ⛽ Make sure to have enough fuel in your vehicle before embarking on the journey, especially if there are long stretches between gas stations.
- 🍽️ Consider packing some snacks and drinks for the road to stay energized during the trip.
- 🛣️ Familiarize yourself with the route and directions before starting the journey to avoid confusion on the road.
- 🚓 Observe speed limits and other traffic regulations to ensure a safe and pleasant journey.
- 📱 Keep a GPS or navigation app handy in case you need to make any detours or find alternate routes.
- 🏨 If the journey is too long, consider making a pit stop halfway to stretch your legs and take a short break.
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 44m.
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 village of Leesville, located in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Coushatta and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coushatta and Lake Charles.
-
1
Start on Front Street
12 m · 6 sec · Front Street
-
2
Turn right onto East Carroll Street
1339 ft · 23 sec · East Carroll Street
-
3
Continue on HWY 84 EAST
981 ft · 17 sec · HWY 84 EAST
-
4
Continue on US 84
6.6 mi · 10 min · US 84
-
5
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
-
6
Take the ramp left
1534 ft · 37 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
13.1 mi · 13 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right
2070 ft · 51 sec
-
9
Turn slight right
62 m · 5 sec
-
10
Turn right onto State Route 485
153 m · 10 sec · State Route 485
-
11
Continue on LA 485
10.4 mi · 14 min · LA 485
-
12
At the end of the road, turn right
14.4 mi · 17 min
-
13
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
-
14
Continue on Martin Luther King Drive
14 m · 9 sec · Martin Luther King Drive
-
15
Turn left onto Fisher Road
2377 ft · 52 sec · Fisher Road
-
16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fisher Road
20.9 mi · 24 min · Fisher Road
-
17
Continue on Shreveport Highway
11 mi · 13 min · Shreveport Highway
-
18
Continue on Shreveport Highway
73 m · 3 sec · Shreveport Highway
-
19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North 6th Street
41 m · 2 sec · North 6th Street
-
20
Exit the roundabout onto North 6th Street
2 mi · 2 min · North 6th Street
-
21
Merge slight left onto South 5th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · South 5th Street
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on South 5th Street
1511 ft · 33 sec · South 5th Street
-
23
Continue on Main Street
12.9 mi · 18 min · Main Street
-
24
Continue on Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
-
25
Continue on North Pine Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · North Pine Street
-
26
Turn left onto West 1st Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
-
27
Continue on Highway 171
37.5 mi · 43 min · Highway 171
-
28
Continue on Martin Luther King Highway
4.5 mi · 8 min · Martin Luther King Highway
-
29
Take the exit slight right
2158 ft · 53 sec
-
30
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 1 min
-
31
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
-
32
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
-
33
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
-
34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Coushatta 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.
Highway 171
Continue on Highway 171
37.5 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Sunny leaving Coushatta 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 Coushatta to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 149.9 miles (241.2 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Anacoco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.7 miles from Coushatta and 74.1 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.8 miles (200.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 1:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.03 one way or $40.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Coushatta and Mostly Sunny near Lake Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Anacoco
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Anacoco.
Lake Charles
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Coushatta and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 124.76 mi (200.78 km).
#1 Coushatta
Parish seat of Red River Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 1,711 |
| Coordinates | 32.0148800, -93.3421200 |
| Altitude | 44 |
| 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: 241 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $20.03 | $40.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $22.53 | $45.06 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $24.47 | $48.93 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $28.65 | $57.29 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.