How far is Denham Springs, LA from Lake Charles, LA?

The driving distance from Denham Springs, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 142.3 miles (229 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m 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
142.28 mi
02h 14m
Flight
135.3 mi
217.74 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Denham Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.3 mi
Kilometers
217.74 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.28 mi
Kilometers
228.97 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Wed, Apr 15, 3:45 PM CDT
Return by in Denham Springs
Wed, Apr 15, 6:00 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Denham Springs
2026-04-15T13:30
Arrive Lake Charles
Wed, Apr 15, 3:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:15 AM to 12:15 PM CDT

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

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

The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.

From Denham Springs
71.1 mi
01h 07m
To Lake Charles
71.2 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE
Destination
66°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Denham Springs and Lake Charles.

  1. 1

    Start on Benton Street

    70 m · 19 sec · Benton Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Centerville Street Northwest

    93 m · 13 sec · Centerville Street Northwest

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Range Avenue

    2018 ft · 36 sec · North Range Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    1386 ft · 34 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto West Florida Republic Parkway

    10.1 mi · 12 min · West Florida Republic Parkway

  7. 7

    Merge slight right

    3.6 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    124.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Florida Republic Parkway
138 mi · 97%
Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard
2.02 mi · 1%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
North Range Avenue
0.38 mi
Centerville Street Northwest
0.06 mi
Benton Street
0.04 mi
Longest Stretch

West Florida Republic Parkway

Keep slight left

124 mi · 02h 18m

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 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7 mi
135.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lafayette
01h 07m from Denham Springs
Leave By
2:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Denham Springs 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 Denham Springs to Lake Charles?

The road trip is about 142.3 miles (229 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?

Lafayette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Denham Springs and 71.2 miles from Lake Charles.

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

The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 2:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.01 one way or $38.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Denham Springs and Partly Cloudy near Lake Charles.

Stop Ideas Near Lafayette

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lafayette and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 13.3 mi away

Parks City Hall

Parks , LA
1010 Martin St, Parks, LA 70582
Rating 4.3/5 10 reviews Park
Lafayette Consolidated Government
Meeting point 2.5 mi away

Lafayette Consolidated Government

Lafayette , LA
705 W University Ave, Lafayette, LA 70506
Rating 3.4/5 9 reviews City government office,Government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 3.9 mi away

Housing Authority of Lafayette

Lafayette , LA
100 C O Cir, Lafayette, LA 70501
Rating 3.2/5 10 reviews Housing authority

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Lafayette

1 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

New Iberia

31 mi away
West Washington St.
BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

85 mi away
1253 Florida St.
RAIL

Lake Charles

115 mi away
100 Ryan Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Denham Springs and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 135.3 mi (217.74 km).

Denham Springs

#1 Denham Springs

City in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, United States

Population9,842
Coordinates30.4874000, -90.9575300
Altitude13
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: Benton Street (-90.957149, 30.487404)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 229 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.02 gal
19 L · about $19.01
Round trip
$38.02
10.04 gal · 38 L
Estimated CO2
44.6 kg one way
Round trip: 89.2 kg / 197 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $19.01 $38.02
Mid-grade $4.26 $21.38 $42.76
Premium $4.63 $23.22 $46.43
Diesel $5.42 $27.18 $54.37

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

There is no time difference between Denham Springs and Lake Charles. The current time is 13:30:55.

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.