How far is Lake Charles, LA from River Ridge, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to River Ridge, LA is about 198.8 miles (320 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.5 miles (288.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 37m 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 48m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and River Ridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and River Ridge.
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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
191.7 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International Airport
1246 ft · 24 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard South
53 m · 4 sec
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8
Turn right onto Williams Boulevard
2 mi · 4 min · Williams Boulevard
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9
Turn left onto Airline Drive
2528 ft · 60 sec · Airline Drive
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10
Turn right onto Filmore Street
2889 ft · 1 min · Filmore Street
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11
Turn left onto Jefferson Highway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Jefferson Highway
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12
Turn left onto Garden Road
1334 ft · 1 min · Garden Road
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13
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and River Ridge.
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
192 mi · 03h 34m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near River Ridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to River Ridge?
The road trip is about 198.8 miles (320 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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 99.3 miles from Lake Charles and 99.5 miles from River Ridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.5 miles (288.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.3 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 9:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.58 one way or $53.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near River Ridge.
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 River Ridge. Straight-line distance: 179.53 mi (288.92 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 River Ridge
City in Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 13,494 |
| Coordinates | 29.9602000, -90.2156300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Ridge (-90.21563, 29.9602)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 320 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $26.58 | $53.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $29.90 | $59.80 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $32.47 | $64.94 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $38.01 | $76.03 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.