How far is Lake Charles, LA from Mathews, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Mathews, LA is about 185.2 miles (298 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.2 miles (262.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 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.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in Grant 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 Mathews.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Mathews.
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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
94.9 mi · 1 hr 43 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward LA 1: Thibodaux, Lockport
1915 ft · 33 sec
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23
Turn right onto Highway 1
2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway 1
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24
Turn right onto New Haven Street
4 m · 1 sec · New Haven Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · New Haven Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Mathews.
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
94.9 mi · 01h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny near Mathews.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Mathews?
The road trip is about 185.2 miles (298 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Georgetown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Lake Charles and 92.6 miles from Mathews.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.2 miles (262.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 9:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.73 one way or $49.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny near Mathews.
Stop Ideas Near Georgetown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Parks City Hall
Loreauville Town Hall
St Martinville Recreation Center
City of St. Martinville Tourist Information Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Georgetown.
New Iberia
Lafayette
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Schriever
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Mathews. Straight-line distance: 163.21 mi (262.66 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 Mathews
Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 2,209 |
| Coordinates | 29.6863200, -90.5467500 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mathews (-90.54675, 29.68632)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $24.73 | $49.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $27.81 | $55.62 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $30.20 | $60.40 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $35.36 | $70.72 |
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.