How far is Ringgold, LA from Lake Charles, LA?
The driving distance from Ringgold, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 172.3 miles (277.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.2 miles (235.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m 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 10m.
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.
Town in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States
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 Ringgold and Lake Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ringgold and Lake Charles.
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1
Start on Mill Street
31 m · 10 sec · Mill Street
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2
Turn left onto Military Road
20.1 mi · 30 min · Military Road
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3
Keep slight left to continue on HWY 371
1270 ft · 22 sec · HWY 371
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4
Turn straight onto Ringgold Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ringgold Avenue
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5
Turn right
40 m · 2 sec
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6
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
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7
Turn right onto HWY 84 EAST
981 ft · 17 sec · HWY 84 EAST
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8
Continue on US 84
6.6 mi · 10 min · US 84
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9
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
-
10
Take the ramp left
1534 ft · 37 sec
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11
Merge slight left
13.1 mi · 13 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right
2070 ft · 51 sec
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13
Turn slight right
62 m · 5 sec
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14
Turn right onto State Route 485
153 m · 10 sec · State Route 485
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15
Continue on LA 485
10.4 mi · 14 min · LA 485
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16
At the end of the road, turn right
14.4 mi · 17 min
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17
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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18
Continue on Martin Luther King Drive
14 m · 9 sec · Martin Luther King Drive
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19
Turn left onto Fisher Road
2377 ft · 54 sec · Fisher Road
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fisher Road
20.9 mi · 24 min · Fisher Road
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21
Continue on Shreveport Highway
11 mi · 13 min · Shreveport Highway
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22
Continue on Shreveport Highway
73 m · 3 sec · Shreveport Highway
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North 6th Street
41 m · 2 sec · North 6th Street
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24
Exit the roundabout onto North 6th Street
2 mi · 2 min · North 6th Street
-
25
Merge slight left onto South 5th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · South 5th Street
-
26
Keep slight right to continue on South 5th Street
1511 ft · 33 sec · South 5th Street
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27
Continue on Main Street
12.9 mi · 18 min · Main Street
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28
Continue on Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
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29
Continue on North Pine Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · North Pine Street
-
30
Turn left onto West 1st Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
-
31
Continue on Highway 171
37.5 mi · 43 min · Highway 171
-
32
Continue on Martin Luther King Highway
4.5 mi · 8 min · Martin Luther King Highway
-
33
Take the exit slight right
2158 ft · 53 sec
-
34
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 1 min
-
35
Take the exit slight right
1605 ft · 41 sec
-
36
Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard
3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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37
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ringgold and Lake Charles.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Highway 171
Continue on Highway 171
37.5 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Ringgold 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 Ringgold to Lake Charles?
The road trip is about 172.3 miles (277.3 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?
Hornbeck is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.9 miles from Ringgold and 85.4 miles from Lake Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.2 miles (235.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.1 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 10:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.02 one way or $46.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Ringgold and Partly Cloudy near Lake Charles.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ringgold and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 146.23 mi (235.33 km).
#1 Ringgold
Town in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 1,336 |
| Coordinates | 32.3284900, -93.2798900 |
| Altitude | 85 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $23.02 | $46.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $25.89 | $51.79 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $28.12 | $56.24 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $32.92 | $65.85 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.