Origin
Franklin, LA
Morning in Franklin on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, LA to Lake Charles, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
122.4 mi
197 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, LA
Abhishek Navlakha
Lake Charles, LA
Liisbet Luup
Trip Overview
This straightforward 122.4-mile drive from Franklin, Louisiana, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. You'll primarily be on Interstate 10, with some time on US 90 and East University Avenue, making for a predominantly highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $18, this route offers an economical way to travel between these two Southeast Louisiana communities. Given its relatively short duration and the direct nature of the drive, it's a convenient option for a quick journey without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.2 miles from Franklin, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 70.1 mi | 1h 15m |
| US 90 | 32.1 mi | 34m |
| East University Avenue | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Southwest Evangeline Thruway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Southeast Evangeline Thruway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Enterprise Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Morgan Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Ambassador Caffery Parkway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 70.1 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, LA and Lake Charles, LA.
1
Start on Iberia Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Iberia Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto Chatsworth Road
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Chatsworth Road
3
Turn left onto LA 3211
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
5
Merge onto US 90
32 mi
·
34 min
·
US 90
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Young Street
12
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Young Street
13
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
St Etienne Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Fairfield Drive
15
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
16
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Morgan Avenue
17
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
18
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft
·
7 sec
19
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
20
Continue on US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
21
Turn left onto East University Avenue
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
East University Avenue
22
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
23
Merge onto I 10; US 167
70 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 10; US 167
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
25
Turn straight onto US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
26
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
27
Arrive at destination
Enterprise Boulevard
Trip Plan
This 2-hour and 26-minute drive is perfect for a flexible day trip, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush and allow for a relaxed start. With a fuel cost of about $18, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling, but it's always wise to top off before departing Franklin. The longest stretch of highway is over 70 miles, so plan for a brief stop before that if you prefer not to drive that far without a break. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from I-10 onto US 90 and East University Avenue near Lake Charles to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.2 miles from Franklin, LA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.2 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Charles, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franklin, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Franklin, LA
This is one driving day of about 122.4 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Franklin, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 70.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.2 miles from Franklin, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 41 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Chatsworth Road
At end of road, turn right onto Chatsworth Road
Navigation decision point
4
34.7 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
34.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
35.9 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
41 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.49 one way
$36.97 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $20.29 | $40.58 |
| premium | $4.56 | $21.97 | $43.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.02 | $54.05 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.34
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)
$0.17
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)
$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.85 | $5.88 |
| Efficient EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.71 | $4.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49 | 0 | $17.14 | $7.83 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Lake Charles, LA
Morning in Lake Charles on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 86% highway-focused drive on this route, dominated by Interstate 10 for long stretches. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 70.1 miles on I-10, indicating a period of consistent, faster travel. While the majority of the journey is on high-speed roads, you will transition onto US 90 and East University Avenue, offering a slight change in pace as you approach your destination. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, prioritizing direct travel.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near Chatsworth Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 122.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (Chatsworth Road): Navigation decision point; at 34.7 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.9 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Franklin, LA
Full guide →Franklin is a town in Coastal Acadiana that is named after Benjamin Franklin. It was actually settled by a preponderance of British immigrants, who established themselves with elaborate plantations along the Bayou Teche as a new sort of aristocratic society, up until the antebellum era ended, anyway. You can visit some of these restored places for a taste of that lifestyle today.
Arriving in Lake Charles, LA
Full guide →Lake Charles is the second-largest city in the Acadiana region of Louisiana, with 87,000 residents in 2022. It is well known for gaming and the great outdoors, culinary delights and rhythm and blues. There are over 75 annual festivals from the splendor of Mardi Gras to the swashbuckling days of the Contraband Days Pirate Festival, there is something going on nearly every weekend.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 122.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.34 in tolls one way, starting with Southwest Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lake Charles, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (Chatsworth Road): Navigation decision point; at 34.7 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.9 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Charles, LA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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