How far is Lake Charles, LA from Swartz, LA?

The driving distance from Lake Charles, LA to Swartz, LA is about 199.3 miles (320.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 178 miles (286.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
199.29 mi
04h 07m
Flight
177.94 mi
286.36 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Charles.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
177.94 mi
Kilometers
286.36 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
199.29 mi
Kilometers
320.73 km
Drive Time
04h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Swartz
Tue, May 5, 2:13 AM CDT
Return by in Lake Charles
Tue, May 5, 6:21 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Charles
2026-05-04T22:05
Arrive Swartz
Tue, May 5, 2:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Charles
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Pineville
LA

Suburb city of Alexandria, located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana

From Lake Charles
99.8 mi
02h 03m
To Swartz
99.5 mi
02h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph S
Destination
82°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Charles and Swartz.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles and Swartz.

  1. 1

    Start on Enterprise Boulevard

    146 m · 15 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

  2. 2

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Belden Street

    28 m · 2 sec · Belden Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1211 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    12.7 mi · 14 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria

    2422 ft · 59 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    135 m · 12 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    78.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  9. 9

    Turn slight left onto Macarthur Drive

    1 km · 1 min · Macarthur Drive

  10. 10

    Turn right

    32 m · 7 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Macarthur Drive

    4 mi · 6 min · Macarthur Drive

  12. 12

    Continue on Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge

    3026 ft · 43 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge

  13. 13

    Continue on Monroe Highway

    62.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Monroe Highway

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    23 mi · 26 min

  15. 15

    Turn straight

    7.8 mi · 9 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right

    1226 ft · 37 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Desiard Street

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Desiard Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Old Bastrop Road

    2025 ft · 40 sec · Old Bastrop Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Lincoln Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Highway 139

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 139

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Swartz School Road

    1.3 km · 3 min · Swartz School Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Swartz School Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Charles and Swartz.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Monroe Highway
85.8 mi · 43%
US 165
78.7 mi · 39%
Belden Street
13 mi · 7%
Macarthur Drive
4.6 mi · 2%
Desiard Street
2.83 mi · 1%
Highway 139
1.88 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.3 mi
178 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pineville
02h 03m from Lake Charles
Leave By
8:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Charles and Sunny near Swartz.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Charles to Swartz?

The road trip is about 199.3 miles (320.7 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?

Pineville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.8 miles from Lake Charles and 99.5 miles from Swartz.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 178 miles (286.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 8:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.62 one way or $53.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Charles and Sunny near Swartz.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Charles and Swartz. Straight-line distance: 177.94 mi (286.36 km).

Lake Charles

#1 Lake Charles

The second most populous city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.

Population78,433
Coordinates30.2130900, -93.2044000
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Swartz

Unincorporated suburban community and census-designated place in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States

Population4,536
Coordinates32.5687500, -91.9851300
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake Charles (-93.2044, 30.21309)
End: Swartz (-91.98513, 32.56875)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 321 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.03 gal
26.62 L · about $26.62
Round trip
$53.25
14.06 gal · 53.24 L
Estimated CO2
62.5 kg one way
Round trip: 125 kg / 276 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $26.62 $53.25
Mid-grade $4.26 $29.94 $59.88
Premium $4.63 $32.51 $65.03
Diesel $5.42 $38.07 $76.13

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 · May 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Charles and Swartz. The current time is 22:05:42.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.