How far is Richwood, LA from Lafayette, LA?

The driving distance from Richwood, LA to Lafayette, LA is about 178.4 miles (287.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 153.7 miles (247.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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
178.38 mi
02h 49m
Flight
153.76 mi
247.45 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Richwood.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
153.76 mi
Kilometers
247.45 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.38 mi
Kilometers
287.08 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lafayette
Sun, Apr 19, 7:33 AM CDT
Return by in Richwood
Sun, Apr 19, 10:23 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Richwood
2026-04-19T04:44
Arrive Lafayette
Sun, Apr 19, 7:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Richwood
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
Pineville
LA

Suburb city of Alexandria, located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana

From Richwood
89.1 mi
01h 25m
To Lafayette
89.3 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NE
Destination
74°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Richwood and Lafayette.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richwood and Lafayette.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    85.5 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  2. 2

    Turn left onto US 165 North: Monroe

    1473 ft · 36 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Pineville Expressway

    4.2 mi · 6 min · Pineville Expressway

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas

    1.2 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway

    76 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway

    8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway

  7. 7

    Continue on Northwest Evangeline Thruway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard

    1147 ft · 34 sec · Jefferson Boulevard

  9. 9

    Continue on Rue Jefferson

    1654 ft · 52 sec · Rue Jefferson

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest

    102 m · 17 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Richwood and Lafayette.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
2 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
38 mi · 21%
Martin Luther King
38 mi · 21%
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.75 mi · 5%
Pineville Expressway
4.16 mi · 2%
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
1.87 mi · 1%
I 49 South
0.75 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Start on the route

85.5 mi · 01h 40m

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 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.7 mi
153.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pineville
01h 25m from Richwood
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Richwood and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Lafayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Richwood to Lafayette?

The road trip is about 178.4 miles (287.1 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?

Pineville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.1 miles from Richwood and 89.3 miles from Lafayette.

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

The direct path is about 153.7 miles (247.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.86 one way or $47.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Richwood and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Lafayette.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Richwood and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 153.76 mi (247.45 km).

Richwood

#1 Richwood

Town in Louisiana, United States

Population3,375
Coordinates32.4487600, -92.0848600
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Lafayette

#2 Lafayette

The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.

Population126,535
Coordinates30.2240900, -92.0198400
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Start: US 165 (-92.084813, 32.448747)
End: South Buchanan Street (-92.019794, 30.224075)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.3 gal
23.83 L · about $23.86
Round trip
$47.72
12.6 gal · 47.66 L
Estimated CO2
56 kg one way
Round trip: 112 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $23.86 $47.72
Mid-grade $4.26 $26.83 $53.66
Premium $4.63 $29.14 $58.28
Diesel $5.42 $34.11 $68.23

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Richwood and Lafayette. The current time is 04:44:00.

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.