How far is Lake Charles, LA from Ringgold, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Ringgold, LA is about 173.9 miles (279.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.2 miles (235.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m 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 42m.
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.
Town in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Ringgold.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Ringgold.
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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
1.4 km · 1 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Opelousas Street
553 ft · 14 sec
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7
Continue on I-10 Service Road
676 ft · 14 sec · I-10 Service Road
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8
Turn right onto Opelousas Street
1218 ft · 26 sec · Opelousas Street
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9
Turn left onto North Martin Luther King Highway
5 mi · 8 min · North Martin Luther King Highway
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10
Continue on Highway 171
37.5 mi · 43 min · Highway 171
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11
Continue on East 1st Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street
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12
Continue on Mahlon Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Mahlon Street
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13
Continue on Shirley Street
1065 ft · 20 sec · Shirley Street
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14
Turn right onto North Pine Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Pine Street
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15
Continue on Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
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16
Continue on Lake Charles Highway
12.9 mi · 17 min · Lake Charles Highway
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17
Continue on South 5th Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · South 5th Street
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18
Keep slight left to continue on North 5th Street
126 m · 6 sec · North 5th Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Shreveport Highway
56 m · 2 sec · Shreveport Highway
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Shreveport Highway
11.1 mi · 13 min · Shreveport Highway
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21
Continue on Hammond Street
20.9 mi · 25 min · Hammond Street
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22
Continue on Fisher Road
2274 ft · 45 sec · Fisher Road
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23
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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24
Turn right onto San Antonio Avenue
1695 ft · 22 sec · San Antonio Avenue
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25
Continue on Natchitoches Highway
14.1 mi · 16 min · Natchitoches Highway
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26
Turn left onto LA 485
10.4 mi · 14 min · LA 485
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27
Continue on State Route 485
1513 ft · 37 sec · State Route 485
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28
Turn left
2208 ft · 54 sec
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29
Merge slight left
13.2 mi · 13 min
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30
Take the exit slight right
2448 ft · 60 sec
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31
Keep slight right
96 m · 8 sec
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32
Turn straight
8.1 mi · 12 min
-
33
Continue on HWY 84 EAST
981 ft · 21 sec · HWY 84 EAST
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34
Turn left onto Ringgold Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Ringgold Avenue
-
35
Turn left onto Ringgold Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ringgold Avenue
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36
Keep slight right to continue on HWY 371
20.4 mi · 30 min · HWY 371
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37
Turn right onto Mill Street
31 m · 4 sec · Mill Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mill Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Ringgold.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Highway 171
Continue on Highway 171
37.5 mi · 00h 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 Cloudy leaving Lake Charles and Partly Cloudy near Ringgold.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Ringgold?
The road trip is about 173.9 miles (279.9 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Hornbeck is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Lake Charles and 86.8 miles from Ringgold.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.2 miles (235.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 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 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.25 one way or $46.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Lake Charles and Partly Cloudy near Ringgold.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Ringgold. Straight-line distance: 146.23 mi (235.33 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 Ringgold
Town in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 1,336 |
| Coordinates | 32.3284900, -93.2798900 |
| Altitude | 85 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ringgold (-93.27989, 32.32849)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $23.25 | $46.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $26.15 | $52.30 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $28.40 | $56.79 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $33.25 | $66.50 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.