How far is Lake Charles, LA from Paulina, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Paulina, LA is about 170.3 miles (274 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.4 miles (240.5 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 CST.
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.
Census-designated place in Louisiana, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Paulina.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Paulina.
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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
155.5 mi · 2 hr 52 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 61 South: Gramercy
2170 ft · 41 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Airline Highway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Airline Highway
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8
Turn right onto North Airline Avenue
2.6 mi · 5 min · North Airline Avenue
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9
At the end of the road, turn right
1.9 mi · 3 min
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Paulina.
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
156 mi · 02h 52m
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 Paulina.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Paulina?
The road trip is about 170.3 miles (274 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?
Cecilia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85 miles from Lake Charles and 85.3 miles from Paulina.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.4 miles (240.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.02 one way or $44.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Charles and Sunny near Paulina.
Stop Ideas Near Cecilia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Parks City Hall
Lafayette Consolidated Government
Housing Authority of Lafayette
City of St. Martinville Tourist Information Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cecilia.
Lafayette
New Iberia
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Paulina. Straight-line distance: 149.45 mi (240.51 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 Paulina
Paulina is a place in Louisiana, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 30.0263100, -90.7131500 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Paulina (-90.71315, 30.02631)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.66 | $22.02 | $44.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $24.95 | $49.90 |
| Premium | $4.54 | $27.31 | $54.62 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $34.40 | $68.80 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026