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

The driving distance from Paulina, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 170.3 miles (274 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 149.4 miles (240.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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
170.25 mi
02h 47m
Flight
149.45 mi
240.51 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Paulina.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
149.45 mi
Kilometers
240.51 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
170.25 mi
Kilometers
273.99 km
Drive Time
02h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Fri, Nov 6, 9:07 PM CST
Return by in Paulina
Fri, Nov 6, 11:54 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Paulina
2026-11-06T18:20
Arrive Lake Charles
Fri, Nov 6, 9:07 PM CST
Route Timing
02h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM CST

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

Leave by
12:56 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Paulina
9:30 PM CST
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
Cecilia
LA

Census-designated place in Louisiana, USA

From Paulina
85 mi
01h 23m
To Lake Charles
85.2 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 2:00 PM CST
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
81°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM CST
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Airline Avenue

    2.6 mi · 5 min · North Airline Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Airline Highway

    7.5 mi · 9 min · West Airline Highway

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge

    3104 ft · 59 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    31.5 mi · 35 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    124.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  9. 9

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 10 West
157 mi · 92%
West Airline Highway
7.55 mi · 4%
North Airline Avenue
2.57 mi · 2%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 10 West

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 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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.9 mi
149.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cecilia
01h 23m from Paulina
Leave By
12:56 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Paulina and Mostly Sunny near Lake Charles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 170.3 miles (274 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?

Cecilia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85 miles from Paulina and 85.2 miles from Lake Charles.

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

The direct path is about 149.4 miles (240.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:56 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.02 one way or $44.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Cecilia

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 Cecilia and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7 mi away

Parks City Hall

Parks , LA
1010 Martin St, Parks, LA 70582
Rating 4.3/5 10 reviews Park
Lafayette Consolidated Government
Meeting point 13.1 mi away

Lafayette Consolidated Government

Lafayette , LA
705 W University Ave, Lafayette, LA 70506
Rating 3.4/5 9 reviews City government office,Government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 11.4 mi away

Housing Authority of Lafayette

Lafayette , LA
100 C O Cir, Lafayette, LA 70501
Rating 3.2/5 10 reviews Housing authority
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 13.3 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 Cecilia.

RAIL

Lafayette

20 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

New Iberia

37 mi away
West Washington St.
BUS

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

66 mi away
1253 Florida St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Paulina and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 149.45 mi (240.51 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Paulina

Paulina is a place in Louisiana, United States.

Population0
Coordinates30.0263100, -90.7131500
Altitude5
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 44 (-90.713097, 30.026245)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 274 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.01 gal
22.74 L · about $22.02
Round trip
$44.04
12.02 gal · 45.48 L
Estimated CO2
53.4 kg one way
Round trip: 106.8 kg / 235 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.66 $22.02 $44.04
Mid-grade $4.15 $24.95 $49.90
Premium $4.54 $27.31 $54.62
Diesel $5.72 $34.40 $68.80

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Paulina and Lake Charles. The current time is 18:20:05.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.