How far is Poydras, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Poydras, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 220.5 miles (354.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 199.7 miles (321.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 27m 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 43m.
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.
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Poydras and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poydras and Lake Charles.
-
1
Start on Kingbird Boulevard
159 m · 25 sec · Kingbird Boulevard
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Bayou Road
710 ft · 14 sec · Bayou Road
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3
Continue on East Saint Bernard Highway
9.9 mi · 19 min · East Saint Bernard Highway
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4
Continue on Saint Claude Avenue
3.5 mi · 8 min · Saint Claude Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Elysian Fields Avenue
1.6 mi · 4 min · Elysian Fields Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Humanity Street
42 m · 6 sec · Humanity Street
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 610 West: Baton Rouge
937 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 5 min
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9
Merge slight right
74.9 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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10
Keep slight left
124.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min
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11
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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13
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Poydras 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 · 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.
Mostly Clear leaving Poydras 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 Poydras to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 220.5 miles (354.9 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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 109.9 miles from Poydras and 110.6 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 199.7 miles (321.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.8 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 9:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.46 one way or $58.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Poydras 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.
City Hall Plaza
Baton Rouge City Hall
City of Baton Rouge Fire Station 15
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 Poydras and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 199.71 mi (321.41 km).
#1 Poydras
City in Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 2,351 |
| Coordinates | 29.8693700, -89.8889500 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.46 | $58.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $33.14 | $66.27 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $35.98 | $71.97 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $42.13 | $84.26 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.