How far is Lake Charles, LA from Monroe, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Monroe, LA is about 195.1 miles (314 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 171.1 miles (275.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 42m 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 21m.
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.
The capital of Louisiana.
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 Monroe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Monroe.
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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
-
5
Merge slight left
12.7 mi · 14 min
-
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
-
9
Turn slight left onto Macarthur Drive
1 km · 1 min · Macarthur Drive
-
10
Turn right
32 m · 7 sec
-
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
62.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Monroe Highway
-
14
Continue straight
23 mi · 26 min
-
15
Turn straight
6.1 mi · 7 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right
549 ft · 13 sec
-
17
Keep slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
-
18
Merge slight left
1.6 km · 1 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
775 ft · 19 sec
-
20
Keep slight right
93 m · 7 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
2694 ft · 46 sec · Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
-
22
Continue on North 6th Street
1643 ft · 35 sec · North 6th Street
-
23
Turn left onto Louisville Avenue
628 ft · 18 sec · Louisville Avenue
-
24
Turn left
14 m · 5 sec
-
25
Turn right
12 m · 3 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Monroe.
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 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 Monroe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Monroe?
The road trip is about 195.1 miles (314 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?
Alexandria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.7 miles from Lake Charles and 98.4 miles from Monroe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 171.1 miles (275.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 10:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.05 one way or $52.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Charles and Sunny near Monroe.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Monroe. Straight-line distance: 171.08 mi (275.33 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 Monroe
The most populous city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
| Population | 46,998 |
| Coordinates | 32.5093100, -92.1193000 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: North 4th Street (-92.119438, 32.509236)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $26.05 | $52.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $29.30 | $58.60 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $31.82 | $63.64 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $37.26 | $74.51 |
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.