How far is Jefferson, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Jefferson, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 201.8 miles (324.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 183.2 miles (294.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m 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 17m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson and Lake Charles.
-
1
Start on Madelon Street
53 m · 13 sec · Madelon Street
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2
Turn left onto Lurline Drive
65 m · 11 sec · Lurline Drive
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3
Turn right onto Berwick Street
86 m · 14 sec · Berwick Street
-
4
Turn right onto Claiborne Drive
89 m · 18 sec · Claiborne Drive
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5
Turn left onto Andover Street
653 ft · 30 sec · Andover Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Causeway Boulevard
1.9 mi · 4 min · Causeway Boulevard
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: New Orleans, Baton Rouge
130 m · 12 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Baton Rouge
3140 ft · 2 min
-
9
Keep slight left
2867 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
72.3 mi · 1 hr 22 min
-
11
Keep slight left
124.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
-
13
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
-
14
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson 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.
I 10 West
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.
Sunny leaving Jefferson and Sunny near Lake Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jefferson to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 201.8 miles (324.8 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Maringouin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.8 miles from Jefferson and 101 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 183.2 miles (294.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.85 one way or $55.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Jefferson and Sunny near Lake Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Maringouin
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 Maringouin.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lafayette
New Iberia
Hammond
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 183.21 mi (294.84 km).
#1 Jefferson
Jefferson is a place in Louisiana, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 29.9660400, -90.1531300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: 325 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $27.85 | $55.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $31.16 | $62.31 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $34.04 | $68.08 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $41.46 | $82.92 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026