How far is Lake Charles, LA from Jena, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Jena, LA is about 134.7 miles (216.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.7 miles (192.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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.
Town in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Jena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Jena.
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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
12.7 mi · 14 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria
2422 ft · 59 sec
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7
Keep slight left
135 m · 12 sec
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8
Continue straight
78.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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9
Turn slight left onto Macarthur Drive
1 km · 1 min · Macarthur Drive
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10
Turn right
32 m · 7 sec
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11
Turn left onto Macarthur Drive
4 mi · 6 min · Macarthur Drive
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12
Continue on Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
3026 ft · 43 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
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13
Continue on Monroe Highway
14 mi · 19 min · Monroe Highway
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14
Turn right
21.9 mi · 33 min
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto South 1st Street
928 ft · 23 sec · South 1st Street
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16
Turn left onto Oak Street
32 m · 2 sec · Oak Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Jena.
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 Mostly Sunny near Jena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Jena?
The road trip is about 134.7 miles (216.8 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?
Glenmora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.5 miles from Lake Charles and 67.3 miles from Jena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.7 miles (192.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 12:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.03 one way or $36.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny near Jena.
Stop Ideas Near Glenmora
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 Glenmora.
Lafayette
Lake Charles
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Jena. Straight-line distance: 119.76 mi (192.74 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 Jena
Parish seat of La Salle Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 3,430 |
| Coordinates | 31.6832300, -92.1337400 |
| Altitude | 51 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jena (-92.13374, 31.68323)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $18.03 | $36.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $20.27 | $40.55 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $22.02 | $44.03 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $25.78 | $51.55 |
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.