How far is Lake Charles, LA from Houma, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Houma, LA is about 177.8 miles (286.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.8 miles (249.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Suburb city of Lafayette, located in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Houma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Houma.
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1
Start on Enterprise Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
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2
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto Belden Street
28 m · 2 sec · Belden Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1211 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left
70.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward LA 182
1334 ft · 33 sec
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7
Keep slight right
93 m · 8 sec
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8
Turn slight right onto North University Avenue
4 mi · 7 min · North University Avenue
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9
Merge slight left onto Southeast Evangeline Thruway
154 m · 8 sec · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
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10
Continue on Southwest Evangeline Thruway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
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11
Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Morgan Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi · 3 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
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13
Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
549 ft · 20 sec · East Fairfield Drive
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14
Turn left onto St Etienne Road
1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Young Street
3032 ft · 52 sec · Young Street
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
2434 ft · 31 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
995 ft · 13 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
885 ft · 12 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1151 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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21
Keep slight right
81.7 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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22
Take the exit slight right
2028 ft · 49 sec
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23
Keep slight right
120 m · 10 sec
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24
Turn straight onto West Main Street
7 mi · 12 min · West Main Street
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25
Turn right onto Lafayette Street
60 m · 10 sec · Lafayette Street
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26
Turn left onto School Street
1523 ft · 1 min · School Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · School Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Houma.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right
81.7 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Charles and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Houma?
The road trip is about 177.8 miles (286.1 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Youngsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.5 miles from Lake Charles and 89.3 miles from Houma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.8 miles (249.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 12:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.74 one way or $47.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Charles and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houma.
Stop Ideas Near Youngsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Parks City Hall
Lafayette Consolidated Government
Housing Authority of Lafayette
City of St. Martinville Tourist Information Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Youngsville.
Lafayette
New Iberia
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lake Charles
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Houma. Straight-line distance: 154.81 mi (249.15 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 Houma
Only incorporated city and parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 32,467 |
| Coordinates | 29.5957700, -90.7195300 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: School Street (-90.719517, 29.595846)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $23.74 | $47.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $26.70 | $53.41 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $29.00 | $58.00 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $33.95 | $67.90 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.