How far is Lake Charles, LA from Opelousas, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Opelousas, LA is about 80.6 miles (129.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 70.5 miles (113.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 10m 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 01h 35m.
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 Louisiana, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Opelousas.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Opelousas.
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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
18.5 mi · 22 min
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9
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
13 mi · 15 min · 3rd Avenue
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10
Continue on Basile Eunice Highway
27.8 mi · 32 min · Basile Eunice Highway
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11
Continue on West Landry Street
4.4 mi · 5 min · West Landry Street
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12
Turn slight right onto West Vine Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Vine Street
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13
Turn left onto South Union Street
776 ft · 20 sec · South Union Street
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14
Turn left onto East Bellevue Street
71 m · 16 sec · East Bellevue Street
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15
Turn left onto South Main Street
48 m · 3 sec · South Main Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Opelousas.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Basile Eunice Highway
Continue on Basile Eunice Highway
27.8 mi · 00h 32m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Lake Charles and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Opelousas.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Opelousas?
The road trip is about 80.6 miles (129.7 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?
Elton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.3 miles from Lake Charles and 40.3 miles from Opelousas.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 70.5 miles (113.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.79 one way or $21.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Lake Charles and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Opelousas.
Stop Ideas Near Elton
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 Elton.
Lake Charles
Lafayette
New Iberia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Opelousas. Straight-line distance: 70.5 mi (113.46 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 Opelousas
Parish seat of St.
| Population | 15,562 |
| Coordinates | 30.5335300, -92.0815100 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Opelousas (-92.08151, 30.53353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 130 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $10.79 | $21.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $12.14 | $24.28 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $13.18 | $26.36 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $15.43 | $30.87 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.