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

The driving distance from Vidalia, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 169.4 miles (272.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.9 miles (226.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
169.44 mi
03h 03m
Flight
140.89 mi
226.74 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Vidalia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
140.89 mi
Kilometers
226.74 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
169.44 mi
Kilometers
272.68 km
Drive Time
03h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Sat, Apr 18, 9:48 AM CDT
Return by in Vidalia
Sat, Apr 18, 12:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Vidalia
2026-04-18T06:45
Arrive Lake Charles
Sat, Apr 18, 9:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Vidalia
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Woodworth
LA

City in Stutsman County, North Dakota, United States of America

From Vidalia
83.7 mi
01h 31m
To Lake Charles
85.7 mi
01h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
84°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    9.3 mi · 11 min

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Louisiana Avenue

    27.2 mi · 34 min · Louisiana Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left

    32.1 mi · 42 min

  4. 4

    Turn left

    1294 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Pineville Expressway

    2 mi · 3 min · Pineville Expressway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward LA 1, LA 28 Business: Downtown Alexandria

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Fenner Street

    92 m · 7 sec · Fenner Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Masonic Drive

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Masonic Drive

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Masonic Circle

    1855 ft · 35 sec · Masonic Drive

  10. 10

    Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive

    78 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Masonic Drive

  11. 11

    Take the exit right

    2324 ft · 57 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    12.9 mi · 14 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  15. 15

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Vidalia 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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Masonic Drive
93.2 mi · 55%
Louisiana Avenue
27.2 mi · 16%
Pineville Expressway
1.98 mi · 1%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
LA 1
1.48 mi · 1%
Masonic Circle
0.18 mi
Longest Stretch

Masonic Drive

Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive

78 mi · 01h 36m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 03m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.5 mi
140.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Woodworth
01h 31m from Vidalia
Leave By
10:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Vidalia and Mostly Cloudy near Lake Charles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 169.4 miles (272.7 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?

Woodworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.7 miles from Vidalia and 85.7 miles from Lake Charles.

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

The direct path is about 140.9 miles (226.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 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 10:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.65 one way or $45.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Vidalia and Mostly Cloudy near Lake Charles.

Stop Ideas Near Woodworth

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

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

RAIL

Lafayette

112 mi away
133 East Grant St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Vidalia and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 140.89 mi (226.74 km).

Vidalia

#1 Vidalia

Largest city and the parish seat of Concordia Parish, Louisiana, United States

Population3,667
Coordinates31.5654400, -91.4259500
Altitude21
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: US 84 (-91.425927, 31.565406)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 273 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.98 gal
22.63 L · about $22.65
Round trip
$45.29
11.96 gal · 45.26 L
Estimated CO2
53.1 kg one way
Round trip: 106.3 kg / 234 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $22.65 $45.29
Mid-grade $4.26 $25.47 $50.94
Premium $4.63 $27.66 $55.32
Diesel $5.42 $32.38 $64.76

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Vidalia and Lake Charles. The current time is 06:45:32.

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.