How far is Gretna, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Gretna, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 211 miles (339.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.5 miles (305 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 32m 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 16m.
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.
Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gretna and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna and Lake Charles.
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1
Start on Richard Street
52 m · 13 sec · Richard Street
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2
Turn left onto 11th Street
93 m · 15 sec · 11th Street
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3
Turn right onto Evergreen Drive
986 ft · 51 sec · Evergreen Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Westbank Expressway
2019 ft · 46 sec · Westbank Expressway
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5
Take the ramp straight toward US 90 Business East
1530 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Westbank Expressway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Westbank Expressway
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7
Continue on Crescent City Connection
1 km · 58 sec · Crescent City Connection
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8
Continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
80.6 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
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9
Keep slight left
124.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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12
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gretna and Lake Charles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight left
124 mi · 02h 18m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gretna 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 Gretna to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 211 miles (339.6 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?
Grosse Tete is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.1 miles from Gretna and 105.9 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.5 miles (305 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 10:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.21 one way or $56.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Gretna and Mostly Sunny near Lake Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Grosse Tete
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 Grosse Tete.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gretna and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 189.51 mi (304.98 km).
#1 Gretna
Suburb city of New Orleans
| Population | 17,615 |
| Coordinates | 29.9146500, -90.0539600 |
| 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: 340 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $28.21 | $56.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $31.73 | $63.46 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $34.46 | $68.91 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $40.34 | $80.68 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.