How far is Lafayette, LA from Minden, LA?

The driving distance from Lafayette, LA to Minden, LA is about 217.5 miles (350 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 181.3 miles (291.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
217.46 mi
04h 07m
Flight
181.32 mi
291.81 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lafayette.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
181.32 mi
Kilometers
291.81 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
217.46 mi
Kilometers
349.97 km
Drive Time
04h 07m

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 04h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minden
Thu, Apr 23, 12:05 PM CDT
Return by in Lafayette
Thu, Apr 23, 4:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lafayette
2026-04-23T07:58
Arrive Minden
Thu, Apr 23, 12:05 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lafayette
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Boyce
LA

Town in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States

From Lafayette
108.9 mi
02h 03m
To Minden
108.6 mi
02h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    154.1 mi · 2 hr 36 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    2448 ft · 60 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    96 m · 8 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight

    8.1 mi · 12 min

  10. 10

    Continue on HWY 84 EAST

    981 ft · 21 sec · HWY 84 EAST

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Ringgold Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Ringgold Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Ringgold Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Ringgold Avenue

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on HWY 371

    34.6 mi · 50 min · HWY 371

  14. 14

    Continue on South Main Street

    4.6 mi · 7 min · South Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Sibley Road

    1528 ft · 26 sec · Sibley Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Lee Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Lee Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Broadway Street

    1190 ft · 50 sec · Broadway Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West Union Street

    54 m · 13 sec · West Union Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Main Street

    32 m · 4 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
155 mi · 71%
HWY 371
34.6 mi · 16%
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.77 mi · 4%
South Main Street
4.64 mi · 2%
Ringgold Avenue
2.2 mi · 1%
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
1.86 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

154 mi · 02h 36m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.2 mi
181.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Boyce
02h 03m from Lafayette
Leave By
8:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lafayette and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Minden.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 217.5 miles (350 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?

Boyce is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.9 miles from Lafayette and 108.6 miles from Minden.

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

The direct path is about 181.3 miles (291.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 8:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.05 one way or $58.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lafayette and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Minden.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Minden. Straight-line distance: 181.32 mi (291.81 km).

Lafayette

#1 Lafayette

The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.

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

#2 Minden

Small city and parish seat of Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States

Population11,575
Coordinates32.6154300, -93.2868400
Altitude78
CountryUnited States
Start: Lafayette (-92.01984, 30.22409)
End: Minden (-93.28684, 32.61543)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 350 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.67 gal
29.05 L · about $29.05
Round trip
$58.09
15.34 gal · 58.1 L
Estimated CO2
68.2 kg one way
Round trip: 136.3 kg / 300 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $29.05 $58.09
Mid-grade $4.26 $32.67 $65.33
Premium $4.63 $35.47 $70.95
Diesel $5.42 $41.53 $83.07

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Lafayette and Minden. The current time is 07:58:11.

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.