How far is Lake Charles, LA from Sterlington, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Sterlington, LA is about 206 miles (331.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 183.8 miles (295.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 23m 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 04h 11m.
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.
Suburb town of Alexandria, located in Rapides Parish just north of Pineville, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Sterlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Sterlington.
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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
78.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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9
Turn slight left onto Macarthur Drive
1 km · 1 min · Macarthur Drive
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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
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14
Continue straight
23 mi · 26 min
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15
Turn straight
19.3 mi · 23 min
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16
Turn left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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17
Turn left onto Old Highway 2
2327 ft · 1 min · Old Highway 2
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Sterlington Road
35 m · 5 sec · Old Sterlington Road
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Sterlington Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Sterlington.
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny near Sterlington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Sterlington?
The road trip is about 206 miles (331.6 km) and usually takes 04h 11m 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?
Ball is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.2 miles from Lake Charles and 102.8 miles from Sterlington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 183.8 miles (295.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.2 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 8:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.53 one way or $55.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Lake Charles and Mostly Sunny near Sterlington.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Sterlington. Straight-line distance: 183.8 mi (295.79 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 Sterlington
City in Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 2,974 |
| Coordinates | 32.6962500, -92.0859700 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterlington (-92.08597, 32.69625)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 332 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $27.53 | $55.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $30.96 | $61.93 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $33.62 | $67.25 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $39.37 | $78.73 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.