How far is Golden Meadow, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Golden Meadow, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 218.2 miles (351.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.7 miles (298.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 13m 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 36m.
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.
City in Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Golden Meadow and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Golden Meadow and Lake Charles.
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1
Start on South Bayou Drive
32 m · 5 sec · South Bayou Drive
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2
Turn right onto Saint Louis Street
995 ft · 58 sec · Saint Louis Street
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3
Turn right onto South Alex Plaisance Boulevard
14.7 mi · 18 min · South Alex Plaisance Boulevard
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4
Turn right
2809 ft · 1 min
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5
Continue straight
14.4 mi · 20 min
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6
Turn left
110 m · 1 min
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7
Turn right onto Highway 1
3 mi · 4 min · Highway 1
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8
Turn left onto US 90 West: Morgan City
2013 ft · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left
95.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1083 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1888 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
2246 ft · 29 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1189 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1056 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward Young Street
771 ft · 21 sec · Young Street
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16
Continue on Young Street
1807 ft · 38 sec · Young Street
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17
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
609 ft · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive
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19
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
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20
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Morgan Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
1065 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
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22
Keep slight left
48 m · 8 sec
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23
Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
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24
Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 4 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
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25
Turn left onto East University Avenue
4.1 mi · 8 min · East University Avenue
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26
Turn left
1682 ft · 41 sec
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27
Merge slight left
70.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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28
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
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29
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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30
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Golden Meadow and Lake Charles.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
US 90 West
Merge slight left
95.4 mi · 01h 44m
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 Golden Meadow 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 Golden Meadow to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 218.2 miles (351.2 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?
Jeanerette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.1 miles from Golden Meadow and 110.1 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.7 miles (298.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 9:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.16 one way or $58.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Golden Meadow and Partly Cloudy near Lake Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Jeanerette
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 Jeanerette.
New Iberia
Lafayette
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Schriever
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Golden Meadow and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 185.7 mi (298.85 km).
#1 Golden Meadow
City in Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 1,935 |
| Coordinates | 29.3791100, -90.2600800 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| 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: 351 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.16 | $58.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $32.79 | $65.59 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $35.61 | $71.23 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $41.70 | $83.39 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.