How far is Houma, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Houma, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.8 miles (249.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Suburb city of Lafayette, located in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houma and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houma and Lake Charles.
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1
Start on School Street
14 m · 7 sec · School Street
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2
Turn left onto Barrow Street
1245 ft · 46 sec · Barrow Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Avenue
7.4 mi · 14 min · Park Avenue
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4
Turn left
109 m · 15 sec
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5
Take the ramp straight
1676 ft · 41 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Raceland-M C Express
82.2 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Raceland-M C Express
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1083 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1888 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
2246 ft · 29 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1189 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1056 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight left toward Young Street
771 ft · 21 sec · Young Street
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13
Continue on Young Street
1807 ft · 38 sec · Young Street
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14
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
609 ft · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive
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16
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
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17
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Morgan Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
1065 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
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19
Keep slight left
48 m · 8 sec
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20
Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
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21
Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 4 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
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22
Turn left onto East University Avenue
4.1 mi · 8 min · East University Avenue
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23
Turn left
1682 ft · 41 sec
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24
Merge slight left
70.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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25
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
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26
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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27
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houma 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.
Raceland-M C Express
Merge slight left onto Raceland-M C Express
82.2 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houma and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houma to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?
Youngsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.9 miles from Houma and 91.2 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.8 miles (249.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 12:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.05 one way or $48.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houma and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Youngsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Parks City Hall
Lafayette Consolidated Government
Housing Authority of Lafayette
City of St. Martinville Tourist Information Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Youngsville.
Lafayette
New Iberia
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lake Charles
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houma and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 154.81 mi (249.15 km).
#1 Houma
Only incorporated city and parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 32,467 |
| Coordinates | 29.5957700, -90.7195300 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $24.05 | $48.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $27.04 | $54.09 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $29.37 | $58.74 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $34.39 | $68.77 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.