How far is Lake Charles, LA from Colfax, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Colfax, LA is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 94.9 miles (152.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m 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 37m.
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.
Small city in Allen Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Colfax.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Colfax.
-
1
Start on Enterprise Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
-
2
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Enterprise Boulevard
-
3
Turn right onto Belden Street
28 m · 2 sec · Belden Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight left
1211 ft · 30 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
12.7 mi · 14 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria
2422 ft · 59 sec
-
7
Keep slight left
135 m · 12 sec
-
8
Continue straight
78.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min
-
9
Turn slight left onto Macarthur Drive
1 km · 1 min · Macarthur Drive
-
10
Turn right
32 m · 7 sec
-
11
Turn left onto Macarthur Drive
3.6 mi · 6 min · Macarthur Drive
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North: Shreveport
2096 ft · 51 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
12.6 mi · 13 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward LA 8 East, LA 1200: Boyce
2114 ft · 52 sec
-
15
Turn right onto State Route 8
1.5 km · 2 min · State Route 8
-
16
Continue on Highway 8
8.6 mi · 15 min · Highway 8
-
17
Continue on 2nd Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · 2nd Street
-
18
Turn right onto Main Street
2076 ft · 43 sec · Main Street
-
19
Turn right onto 8th Street
15 m · 2 sec · 8th Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Colfax.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 165
Continue straight
78.1 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lake Charles and Partly Sunny near Colfax.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Colfax?
The road trip is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Oakdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.3 miles from Lake Charles and 61.2 miles from Colfax.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 94.9 miles (152.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.36 one way or $32.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lake Charles and Partly Sunny near Colfax.
Stop Ideas Near Oakdale
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 Oakdale.
Lake Charles
Lafayette
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Colfax. Straight-line distance: 94.94 mi (152.79 km).
#1 Lake Charles
The second most populous city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
| Population | 78,433 |
| Coordinates | 30.2130900, -93.2044000 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Colfax
Parish seat in Louisiana, United States.
| Population | 1,431 |
| Coordinates | 31.5190600, -92.7068200 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colfax (-92.70682, 31.51906)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $16.36 | $32.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $18.40 | $36.80 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $19.98 | $39.96 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $23.39 | $46.79 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.