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

The driving distance from Mathews, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 186.2 miles (299.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.2 miles (262.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m 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
186.22 mi
03h 01m
Flight
163.21 mi
262.66 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mathews.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
163.21 mi
Kilometers
262.66 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
186.22 mi
Kilometers
299.7 km
Drive Time
03h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Tue, May 5, 7:38 AM CDT
Return by in Mathews
Tue, May 5, 10:40 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mathews
2026-05-05T04:37
Arrive Lake Charles
Tue, May 5, 7:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mathews
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
Georgetown
LA

Village in Grant Parish, Louisiana, United States

From Mathews
92.8 mi
01h 30m
To Lake Charles
93.4 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on New Haven Street

    4 m · 3 sec · New Haven Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Highway 1

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Highway 1

  3. 3

    Turn left onto US 90 West: Morgan City

    2013 ft · 49 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    95.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1083 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1888 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    2246 ft · 29 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1189 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1056 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward Young Street

    771 ft · 21 sec · Young Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Young Street

    1807 ft · 38 sec · Young Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto St Etienne Road

    1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

    609 ft · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Morgan Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway

    1065 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    48 m · 8 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

  19. 19

    Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    4.1 mi · 8 min · East University Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left

    1682 ft · 41 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    70.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  25. 25

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 90 West
95.8 mi · 51%
East University Avenue
74.5 mi · 40%
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.68 mi · 1%
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 1%
Highway 1
2.31 mi · 1%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 90 West

Merge slight left

95.4 mi · 01h 44m

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
03h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23 mi
163.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Georgetown
01h 30m from Mathews
Leave By
10:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Mathews and Partly Sunny near Lake Charles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 186.2 miles (299.7 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?

Georgetown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.8 miles from Mathews and 93.4 miles from Lake Charles.

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

The direct path is about 163.2 miles (262.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 10:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.88 one way or $49.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Georgetown

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Georgetown and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.4 mi away

Parks City Hall

Parks , LA
1010 Martin St, Parks, LA 70582
Rating 4.3/5 10 reviews Park
Village Of Maurice City Hall
Meeting point 14.8 mi away

Village Of Maurice City Hall

Maurice , LA
405 Lastie Ave, Maurice, LA 70555
Rating 2.5/5 8 reviews City Hall
St Martinville Recreation Center
Nearby stop 9.9 mi away

St Martinville Recreation Center

Saint Martinville , LA
1800 N Main St, St Martinville, LA 70582
Rating 4.4/5 8 reviews Recreation center
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.7 mi away

City of St. Martinville Tourist Information Center

Saint Martinville , LA
125 S New Market St, St Martinville, LA 70582
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist information center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Georgetown.

RAIL

New Iberia

1 mi away
West Washington St.
RAIL

Lafayette

30 mi away
133 East Grant St.
BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

80 mi away
1253 Florida St.
RAIL

Schriever

103 mi away
Hwy 20 and Hwy 24

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mathews and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 163.21 mi (262.66 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Mathews

Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America

Population2,209
Coordinates29.6863200, -90.5467500
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Lake Charles

#2 Lake Charles

The second most populous city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.

Population78,433
Coordinates30.2130900, -93.2044000
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: LA 1 (-90.546712, 29.686298)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 300 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.57 gal
24.88 L · about $24.88
Round trip
$49.76
13.14 gal · 49.76 L
Estimated CO2
58.4 kg one way
Round trip: 116.8 kg / 257 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $24.88 $49.76
Mid-grade $4.26 $27.98 $55.96
Premium $4.63 $30.39 $60.77
Diesel $5.42 $35.58 $71.15

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 Mathews and Lake Charles. The current time is 04:37:13.

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.