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

The driving distance from Patterson, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 137.4 miles (221.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.4 miles (192.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
137.4 mi
02h 14m
Flight
119.41 mi
192.17 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Patterson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
119.41 mi
Kilometers
192.17 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
137.4 mi
Kilometers
221.12 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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 02h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Thu, Apr 23, 1:41 AM CDT
Return by in Patterson
Thu, Apr 23, 3:56 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Patterson
2026-04-22T23:26
Arrive Lake Charles
Thu, Apr 23, 1:41 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:15 AM to 12:15 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Patterson
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Scott
LA

Suburb city of Lafayette, located in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States

From Patterson
68.4 mi
01h 07m
To Lake Charles
69 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
76°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    586 ft · 12 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

    1201 ft · 53 sec · Railroad Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Railroad Avenue

    858 ft · 38 sec · Railroad Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    30 m · 3 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    48.6 mi · 53 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1083 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1888 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    2246 ft · 29 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1189 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    1056 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight left toward Young Street

    771 ft · 21 sec · Young Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Young Street

    1807 ft · 38 sec · Young Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto St Etienne Road

    1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road

  14. 14

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

    609 ft · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Morgan Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway

    1065 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    48 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

  20. 20

    Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    4.1 mi · 8 min · East University Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left

    1682 ft · 41 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    70.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  25. 25

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  26. 26

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East University Avenue
74.5 mi · 54%
Railroad Avenue
49 mi · 36%
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.68 mi · 2%
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 2%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
South Morgan Avenue
1.56 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

East University Avenue

Merge slight left

70.1 mi · 01h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18 mi
119.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Scott
01h 07m from Patterson
Leave By
2:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Patterson and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lake Charles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 137.4 miles (221.1 km) and usually takes 02h 14m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Scott is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.4 miles from Patterson and 69 miles from Lake Charles.

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

The direct path is about 119.4 miles (192.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.37 one way or $36.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Patterson and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lake Charles.

Stop Ideas Near Scott

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Scott, 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 Scott.

RAIL

Lafayette

8 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

New Iberia

36 mi away
West Washington St.
BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

91 mi away
1253 Florida St.
RAIL

Lake Charles

108 mi away
100 Ryan Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Patterson and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 119.41 mi (192.17 km).

Patterson

#1 Patterson

City in St.

Population5,659
Coordinates29.6932600, -91.3020500
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: Main Street (-91.302277, 29.693206)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 221 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.85 gal
18.35 L · about $18.37
Round trip
$36.73
9.7 gal · 36.7 L
Estimated CO2
43.1 kg one way
Round trip: 86.2 kg / 190 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $18.37 $36.73
Mid-grade $4.26 $20.66 $41.31
Premium $4.63 $22.43 $44.86
Diesel $5.42 $26.26 $52.53

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Patterson and Lake Charles. The current time is 23:26:31.

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.