How far is Lafayette, LA from Elton, LA?

The driving distance from Lafayette, LA to Elton, LA is about 61.2 miles (98.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 44.1 miles (70.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
61.18 mi
01h 11m
Flight
44.04 mi
70.88 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lafayette.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
44.04 mi
Kilometers
70.88 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
61.18 mi
Kilometers
98.46 km
Drive Time
01h 11m

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 01h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elton
Sat, May 30, 8:57 PM CDT
Return by in Lafayette
Sat, May 30, 10:08 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lafayette
2026-05-30T19:46
Arrive Elton
Sat, May 30, 8:57 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lafayette
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Opelousas
LA

Parish seat of St.

From Lafayette
30.6 mi
00h 35m
To Elton
30.6 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Today

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
90°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lafayette and Elton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette and Elton.

  1. 1

    Start on Rue Vermilion Ouest

    102 m · 22 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Rue Jefferson

    1654 ft · 51 sec · Rue Jefferson

  3. 3

    Continue on Jefferson Boulevard

    1447 ft · 47 sec · Jefferson Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Northeast Evangeline Thruway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Northeast Evangeline Thruway

  5. 5

    Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  6. 6

    Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

    11.2 mi · 12 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 190 West: Opelousas

    1356 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    38.5 mi · 44 min

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lafayette and Elton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
9 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 190 West
38.7 mi · 63%
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
11.2 mi · 18%
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.77 mi · 14%
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
1.86 mi · 3%
Rue Jefferson
0.31 mi · 1%
Jefferson Boulevard
0.27 mi
Longest Stretch

US 190 West

Merge slight left

38.5 mi · 00h 44m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
44.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Opelousas
00h 35m from Lafayette
Leave By
4:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Elton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lafayette to Elton?

The road trip is about 61.2 miles (98.5 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?

Opelousas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.6 miles from Lafayette and 30.6 miles from Elton.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 44.1 miles (70.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 4:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.18 one way or $16.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Elton.

Stop Ideas Near Opelousas

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Opelousas and the surrounding midpoint area.
Port Barre Park
Scenic stop 14.2 mi away

Port Barre Park

Port Barre , LA
129, 169 Park St, Port Barre, LA 70577
Rating 4.2/5 49 reviews Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 10.5 mi away

Washington Town Hall

Washington , LA
405 N Washington St, Washington, LA 70589
Rating 1.4/5 5 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

Eunice City Court

Eunice , LA
300 S 2nd St, Eunice, LA 70535
Rating 4.0/5 3 reviews City courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Opelousas.

RAIL

Lafayette

35 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

New Iberia

63 mi away
West Washington St.
BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

87 mi away
1253 Florida St.
RAIL

Lake Charles

114 mi away
100 Ryan Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Elton. Straight-line distance: 44.04 mi (70.88 km).

Lafayette

#1 Lafayette

The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.

Population126,535
Coordinates30.2240900, -92.0198400
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Elton

#2 Elton

Town in Louisiana, USA

Population1,134
Coordinates30.4813100, -92.6957000
Altitude15
CountryUnited States
Start: Lafayette (-92.01984, 30.22409)
End: Elton (-92.6957, 30.48131)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 98 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.16 gal
8.17 L · about $8.18
Round trip
$16.36
4.32 gal · 16.34 L
Estimated CO2
19.2 kg one way
Round trip: 38.4 kg / 85 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $8.18 $16.36
Mid-grade $4.26 $9.20 $18.40
Premium $4.63 $9.99 $19.98
Diesel $5.42 $11.70 $23.39

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Lafayette and Elton. The current time is 19:46:16.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.