How far is Jena, LA from Lafayette, LA?
The driving distance from Jena, LA to Lafayette, LA is about 126 miles (202.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101 miles (162.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 02m 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 01m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jena and Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jena and Lafayette.
-
1
Start on Oak Street
32 m · 6 sec · Oak Street
-
2
Turn right onto South 1st Street
928 ft · 17 sec · South 1st Street
-
3
Turn right onto Airport Drive
21.9 mi · 33 min · Airport Drive
-
4
Turn left onto Ridge Street
11.1 mi · 15 min · Ridge Street
-
5
Turn left onto US 165 North: Monroe
1473 ft · 36 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Pineville Expressway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Pineville Expressway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
1.2 km · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
76 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
-
9
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway
-
10
Continue on Northwest Evangeline Thruway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway
-
11
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
1147 ft · 34 sec · Jefferson Boulevard
-
12
Continue on Rue Jefferson
1654 ft · 52 sec · Rue Jefferson
-
13
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
102 m · 17 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jena and Lafayette.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
76 mi · 01h 17m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Jena and Mostly Sunny near Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jena to Lafayette?
The road trip is about 126 miles (202.7 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
Cheneyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from Jena and 63 miles from Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101 miles (162.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 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 2:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.81 one way or $33.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Jena and Mostly Sunny near Lafayette.
Stop Ideas Near Cheneyville
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 Cheneyville.
Lafayette
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jena and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 101.04 mi (162.61 km).
#1 Jena
Parish seat of La Salle Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 3,430 |
| Coordinates | 31.6832300, -92.1337400 |
| Altitude | 51 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lafayette
The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.
| Population | 126,535 |
| Coordinates | 30.2240900, -92.0198400 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Buchanan Street (-92.019794, 30.224075)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 203 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $16.81 | $33.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $18.91 | $37.82 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $20.54 | $41.07 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $24.04 | $48.09 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.