How far is Lake Charles, LA from Lake Providence, LA?

The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Lake Providence, LA is about 262.5 miles (422.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 215.4 miles (346.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 05m 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
262.52 mi
05h 32m
Flight
215.44 mi
346.71 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Charles.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
215.44 mi
Kilometers
346.71 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
262.52 mi
Kilometers
422.48 km
Drive Time
05h 32m

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 05h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Providence
Wed, Apr 15, 10:21 PM CDT
Return by in Lake Charles
Thu, Apr 16, 3:54 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Charles
2026-04-15T16:48
Arrive Lake Providence
Wed, Apr 15, 10:21 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:33 AM to 1:33 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
5:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Charles
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Tullos
LA

Town in LaSalle and Winn parishes in the state of Louisiana

From Lake Charles
131.4 mi
02h 46m
To Lake Providence
131.1 mi
02h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE
Destination
85°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Lake Providence.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Lake Providence.

  1. 1

    Start on Enterprise Boulevard

    146 m · 15 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

  2. 2

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Belden Street

    28 m · 2 sec · Belden Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1211 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    12.7 mi · 14 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria

    2422 ft · 59 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    135 m · 12 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    78.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  9. 9

    Turn slight left onto Macarthur Drive

    1 km · 1 min · Macarthur Drive

  10. 10

    Turn right

    32 m · 7 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Macarthur Drive

    4 mi · 6 min · Macarthur Drive

  12. 12

    Continue on Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge

    3026 ft · 43 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge

  13. 13

    Continue on Monroe Highway

    62.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Monroe Highway

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    23 mi · 26 min

  15. 15

    Turn straight

    6.1 mi · 7 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right

    549 ft · 13 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    1537 ft · 37 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    34.2 mi · 37 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward LA 17: Delhi, Winnsboro

    1309 ft · 32 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto State Route 17

    73 m · 10 sec · State Route 17

  21. 21

    Continue on Broadway Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Broadway Street

  22. 22

    Continue on Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street

  23. 23

    Continue on State Route 17

    9.9 mi · 15 min · State Route 17

  24. 24

    Turn right

    23.7 mi · 42 min

  25. 25

    Continue on Tensas Bayou Road

    3247 ft · 2 min · Tensas Bayou Road

  26. 26

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Lake Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Lake Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    1 m · 1 sec · Lake Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Lake Providence.

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
27 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Monroe Highway
120 mi · 46%
US 165
78.7 mi · 30%
Belden Street
13 mi · 5%
State Route 17
9.91 mi · 4%
Macarthur Drive
4.6 mi · 2%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.73 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
05h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.1 mi
215.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tullos
02h 46m from Lake Charles
Leave By
5:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny near Lake Providence.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Lake Providence?

The road trip is about 262.5 miles (422.5 km) and usually takes 05h 32m 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?

Tullos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.4 miles from Lake Charles and 131.1 miles from Lake Providence.

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

The direct path is about 215.4 miles (346.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.07 one way or $70.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny near Lake Providence.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Lake Providence. Straight-line distance: 215.44 mi (346.71 km).

Lake Charles

#1 Lake Charles

The second most populous city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.

Population78,433
Coordinates30.2130900, -93.2044000
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Lake Providence

#2 Lake Providence

City in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, United States of America

Population3,347
Coordinates32.8049900, -91.1709800
Altitude32
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake Charles (-93.2044, 30.21309)
End: Lake Providence (-91.17098, 32.80499)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 422 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.26 gal
35.07 L · about $35.07
Round trip
$70.14
18.52 gal · 70.14 L
Estimated CO2
82.3 kg one way
Round trip: 164.6 kg / 363 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $35.07 $70.14
Mid-grade $4.26 $39.44 $78.88
Premium $4.63 $42.83 $85.66
Diesel $5.42 $50.14 $100.29

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Charles and Lake Providence. The current time is 16:48:12.

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.