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

The driving distance from Meraux, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 215.8 miles (347.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 197.6 miles (318 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 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
215.79 mi
03h 37m
Flight
197.57 mi
317.96 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Meraux.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
197.57 mi
Kilometers
317.96 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
215.79 mi
Kilometers
347.28 km
Drive Time
03h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Wed, Apr 15, 10:07 PM CDT
Return by in Meraux
Thu, Apr 16, 1:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Meraux
2026-04-15T18:30
Arrive Lake Charles
Wed, Apr 15, 10:07 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 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
9:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Meraux
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
Grosse Tete
LA

Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America

From Meraux
107.7 mi
01h 48m
To Lake Charles
108 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
This Afternoon

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SE
Destination
66°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Judge Perez Drive

    124 m · 16 sec · East Judge Perez Drive

  2. 2

    Continue on East Judge Perez Drive

    6.2 mi · 14 min · East Judge Perez Drive

  3. 3

    Continue on North Claiborne Avenue

    2.8 mi · 6 min · North Claiborne Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Franklin Avenue

    645 ft · 18 sec · Franklin Avenue

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Franklin Avenue

    2743 ft · 1 min · Franklin Avenue

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Franklin Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Franklin Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight left

    1706 ft · 43 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    4.1 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right

    74.9 mi · 1 hr 25 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    124.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Meraux 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
14 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Franklin Avenue
205 mi · 95%
East Judge Perez Drive
6.24 mi · 3%
North Claiborne Avenue
2.79 mi · 1%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Franklin Avenue

Keep slight left

124 mi · 02h 18m

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 37m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.2 mi
197.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grosse Tete
01h 48m from Meraux
Leave By
9:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Meraux 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 Meraux to Lake Charles?

The road trip is about 215.8 miles (347.3 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?

Grosse Tete is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.7 miles from Meraux and 108 miles from Lake Charles.

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

The direct path is about 197.6 miles (318 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 9:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.82 one way or $57.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Grosse Tete

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Grosse Tete, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grosse Tete.

BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

25 mi away
1253 Florida St.
RAIL

New Iberia

58 mi away
West Washington St.
RAIL

Lafayette

59 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

Hammond

94 mi away
404 N.E. Railroad Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Meraux and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 197.57 mi (317.96 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Meraux

City in Louisiana, United States of America

Population5,816
Coordinates29.9301700, -89.9162300
Altitude2
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: East Judge Perez Drive (-89.915687, 29.930622)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 347 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.61 gal
28.82 L · about $28.82
Round trip
$57.64
15.22 gal · 57.64 L
Estimated CO2
67.6 kg one way
Round trip: 135.3 kg / 298 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $28.82 $57.64
Mid-grade $4.26 $32.41 $64.82
Premium $4.63 $35.20 $70.39
Diesel $5.42 $41.21 $82.42

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

There is no time difference between Meraux and Lake Charles. The current time is 18:30:20.

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.