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

The driving distance from Winnfield, LA to Lake Charles, LA is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 00m 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
146.43 mi
02h 30m
Flight
122.93 mi
197.83 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winnfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
122.93 mi
Kilometers
197.83 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
146.43 mi
Kilometers
235.66 km
Drive Time
02h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Charles
Wed, May 6, 11:07 PM CDT
Return by in Winnfield
Thu, May 7, 1:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winnfield
2026-05-06T20:37
Arrive Lake Charles
Wed, May 6, 11:07 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winnfield
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
McNary
LA

Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America

From Winnfield
72.5 mi
01h 15m
To Lake Charles
73.9 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, May 6 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
86°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 6 5:00 PM CDT
Wind
15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Court Street

    1430 ft · 37 sec · West Court Street

  2. 2

    Continue on East Lafayette Street

    43.1 mi · 52 min · East Lafayette Street

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward US 165: Monroe, Alexandria

    817 ft · 20 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on US 165 South: Alexandria

    101 m · 8 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Monroe Highway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Monroe Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge

    3004 ft · 43 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge

  7. 7

    Continue on Macarthur Drive

    4.3 mi · 7 min · Macarthur Drive

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Masonic Circle

    763 ft · 15 sec · Masonic Drive

  9. 9

    Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive

    78 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Masonic Drive

  10. 10

    Take the exit right

    2324 ft · 57 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    12.9 mi · 14 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right

    1605 ft · 41 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Enterprise Boulevard

    3249 ft · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Enterprise Boulevard

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Winnfield 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
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Masonic Drive
91.7 mi · 63%
East Lafayette Street
43.1 mi · 29%
Macarthur Drive
4.27 mi · 3%
Monroe Highway
2.88 mi · 2%
Enterprise Boulevard
1.61 mi · 1%
Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
0.57 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 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 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.6 mi
122.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McNary
01h 15m from Winnfield
Leave By
1:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Winnfield and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Charles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?

McNary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.5 miles from Winnfield and 73.9 miles from Lake Charles.

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

The direct path is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 1:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.58 one way or $39.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Winnfield and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Charles.

Stop Ideas Near McNary

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

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

RAIL

Lafayette

100 mi away
133 East Grant St.
RAIL

Lake Charles

103 mi away
100 Ryan Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winnfield and Lake Charles. Straight-line distance: 122.93 mi (197.83 km).

Winnfield

#1 Winnfield

Small city in and the Parish Seat of Winn Parish, Louisiana

Population4,283
Coordinates31.9255800, -92.6413100
Altitude39
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 (-92.641309, 31.925843)
End: Enterprise Boulevad (-93.204402, 30.21309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 236 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.17 gal
19.56 L · about $19.58
Round trip
$39.16
10.34 gal · 39.12 L
Estimated CO2
45.9 kg one way
Round trip: 91.9 kg / 203 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $19.58 $39.16
Mid-grade $4.26 $22.02 $44.04
Premium $4.63 $23.91 $47.82
Diesel $5.42 $28.00 $55.99

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 · May 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Winnfield and Lake Charles. The current time is 20:37:35.

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.