How far is Lake Charles, LA from Metairie, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Metairie, LA is about 200.1 miles (322.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 183.1 miles (294.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 28m 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 14m.
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.
City in Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Metairie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Metairie.
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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
196.9 mi · 3 hr 40 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard
588 ft · 14 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Causeway Boulevard South
1641 ft · 56 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto North Causeway Boulevard
1 km · 2 min · North Causeway Boulevard
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9
Turn left onto 46th Street
27 m · 6 sec · 46th Street
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10
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
87 m · 17 sec · North Causeway Boulevard
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11
Turn left onto 47th Street
945 ft · 43 sec · 47th Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fagot Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Metairie.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Belden Street
Merge slight left
197 mi · 03h 40m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Charles and Sunny near Metairie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Metairie?
The road trip is about 200.1 miles (322.1 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Maringouin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100 miles from Lake Charles and 100.2 miles from Metairie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 183.1 miles (294.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 10:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.74 one way or $53.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Charles and Sunny near Metairie.
Stop Ideas Near Maringouin
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 Maringouin.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lafayette
New Iberia
Hammond
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Metairie. Straight-line distance: 183.09 mi (294.66 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 Metairie
The most populous suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana.
| Population | 138,481 |
| Coordinates | 29.9840900, -90.1528500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Avenue (-90.152849, 29.984102)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 322 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $26.74 | $53.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $30.07 | $60.14 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $32.65 | $65.30 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $38.23 | $76.46 |
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.