How far is Lake Providence, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Lake Providence, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 246.7 miles (397.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.4 miles (346.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 57m 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 28m.
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 LaSalle and Winn parishes in the state of Louisiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Providence and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Providence and Lake Charles.
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1
Start on Lake Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Lake Street
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2
Turn left onto Tensas Bayou Road
3247 ft · 1 min · Tensas Bayou Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tensas Bayou Road
23.7 mi · 42 min · Tensas Bayou Road
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4
Turn left onto State Route 17
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Route 17
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5
Continue on State Route 17
7.2 mi · 11 min · State Route 17
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6
Continue on Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street
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7
Continue on Broadway Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Broadway Street
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8
Take the ramp slight right
1443 ft · 35 sec
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9
Merge slight left
34.6 mi · 37 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 165 South: Columbia
1310 ft · 32 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive
91.9 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Martin Luther King Jr Drive
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12
Continue on Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
3004 ft · 43 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
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13
Continue on Macarthur Drive
4.3 mi · 7 min · Macarthur Drive
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Masonic Circle
763 ft · 15 sec · Masonic Drive
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15
Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive
78 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Masonic Drive
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16
Take the exit right
2324 ft · 57 sec
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17
Merge slight left
12.9 mi · 14 min
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18
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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20
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Providence and Lake Charles.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive
91.9 mi · 01h 48m
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 Providence and Partly Cloudy near Lake Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Providence to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 246.7 miles (397.1 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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?
Tullos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.4 miles from Lake Providence and 115.4 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.4 miles (346.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 8:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.98 one way or $65.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Providence and Partly Cloudy near Lake Charles.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Providence and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 215.44 mi (346.71 km).
#1 Lake Providence
City in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 3,347 |
| Coordinates | 32.8049900, -91.1709800 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Charles
The second most populous city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
| Population | 78,433 |
| Coordinates | 30.2130900, -93.2044000 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 397 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $32.98 | $65.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $37.10 | $74.19 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $40.28 | $80.57 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $47.16 | $94.33 |
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.