How far is Opelousas, LA from Lafayette, LA?
The driving distance from Opelousas, LA to Lafayette, LA is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 25m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Louisiana, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Opelousas and Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opelousas and Lafayette.
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1
Start on South Main Street
622 ft · 20 sec · South Main Street
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2
Turn left onto East Vine Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Vine Street
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3
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Lafayette
1883 ft · 46 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
10.8 mi · 12 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
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5
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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6
Continue on Northwest Evangeline Thruway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway
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7
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
1147 ft · 34 sec · Jefferson Boulevard
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8
Continue on Rue Jefferson
1654 ft · 52 sec · Rue Jefferson
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9
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
102 m · 17 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Opelousas and Lafayette.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
Merge slight left onto Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
10.8 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Opelousas and Mostly Sunny near Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Opelousas to Lafayette?
The road trip is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km) and usually takes 00h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sunset is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.7 miles from Opelousas and 11.7 miles from Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.11 one way or $6.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Opelousas and Mostly Sunny near Lafayette.
Stop Ideas Near Sunset
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Port Barre Park
Lafayette Consolidated Government
Housing Authority of Lafayette
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sunset.
Lafayette
New Iberia
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lake Charles
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Opelousas and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 21.69 mi (34.91 km).
#1 Opelousas
Parish seat of St.
| Population | 15,562 |
| Coordinates | 30.5335300, -92.0815100 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lafayette
The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.
| Population | 126,535 |
| Coordinates | 30.2240900, -92.0198400 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Buchanan Street (-92.019794, 30.224075)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $3.11 | $6.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $3.49 | $6.98 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $3.79 | $7.59 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $4.44 | $8.88 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.