How far is Orleans Parish, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Orleans Parish, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 216.9 miles (349.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196 miles (315.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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 03h 19m.
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.
Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Orleans Parish and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orleans Parish and Lake Charles.
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1
Start on the route
1452 ft ยท 18 sec
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2
Take the exit slight right toward Michoud Boulevard
2028 ft ยท 38 sec
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3
Keep slight left
92 m ยท 11 sec
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4
Turn left
2286 ft ยท 1 min
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 10 West: New Orleans
2407 ft ยท 59 sec
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6
Merge slight left
9.8 mi ยท 12 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 610 West: New Orleans International Airport, Baton Rouge
4.5 mi ยท 6 min
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8
Merge slight right
74.9 mi ยท 1 hr 25 min
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9
Keep slight left
124.3 mi ยท 2 hr 18 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft ยท 41 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft ยท 1 min ยท Enterprise Boulevard
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12
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km ยท 2 min ยท Enterprise Boulevard
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m ยท 1 sec ยท Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Orleans Parish and Lake Charles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 610 West
Keep slight left
124 mi ยท 02h 18m
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.
Sunny leaving Orleans Parish and Sunny near Lake Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Orleans Parish to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 216.9 miles (349.1 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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 108.4 miles from Orleans Parish and 108.6 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196 miles (315.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.00 one way or $59.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Orleans Parish and Sunny near Lake Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Grosse Tete
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grosse Tete.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
New Iberia
Lafayette
Hammond
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Orleans Parish and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 196.01 mi (315.45 km).
#1 Orleans Parish
New Orleans consolidated city-parish in Louisiana, United States
| Population | 389,476 |
| Coordinates | 30.0686400, -89.9281300 |
| Altitude | -1 |
| 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: 349 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.92 | $30.00 | $59.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $33.50 | $67.00 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $36.63 | $73.26 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $44.51 | $89.02 |
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 ยท Oct 14, 2026