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Trip from Lake Charles, LA to Lockport, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 39m

Distance

188.8 mi

304 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 27m ★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lake Charles, LA, LA

Lake Charles, LA

Liisbet Luup

Downtown Lockport, LA, LA

Lockport, LA

Frank Barning

Trip Overview

Lake Charles, LA to Lockport, LA is 188.8 miles and takes about 3h 39m via US 90 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, traveling through the Southeast region from start to finish. Most of the drive is on highways, making it a straightforward, efficient route. With a drive time under four hours and a low fuel cost, this is a very manageable one-day excursion.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

94.4 miles from Lake Charles, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 90 94.9 mi 1h 43m
I 10 70.1 mi 1h 15m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway 4.6 mi 5m
Highway 1 4.5 mi 6m
North University Avenue 4 mi 7m
Veterans Memorial Expressway 1.8 mi 2m
Enterprise Boulevard 1.7 mi 3m
North Morgan Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 90 — 94.9 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles, LA and Lockport, LA.

1

Start on Enterprise Boulevard

478 ft · 14 sec · Enterprise Boulevard
2

Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

1.6 mi · 3 min · Enterprise Boulevard
3

Turn right onto Belden Street

93 ft · 1 sec · Belden Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
5

Merge onto I 10; US 90

70 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 10; US 90
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward LA 182
7

Keep slight right at fork

306 ft · 7 sec
8

Turn slight right onto North University Avenue

4.0 mi · 7 min · North University Avenue
9

Merge onto US 90; LA 182

506 ft · 7 sec · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
10

Continue on US 90; LA 182

4.6 mi · 5 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
11

Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Morgan Avenue
12

Turn left onto LA 3073

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
13

Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Fairfield Drive
14

Turn left onto St Etienne Road

1.0 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
15

At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Young Street
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 12 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
20

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
21

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

95 mi · 1 hr 43 min · US 90
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Exit 215 Toward LA 1: Thibodaux, Lockport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn right onto LA 1

4.5 mi · 6 min · Highway 1
24

Continue on LA 1

1.0 mi · 2 min · Crescent Avenue
25

Turn left onto Barataria Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Barataria Street
26

Turn left onto 10th Street

8 ft · 0 sec · 10th Street
27

Arrive at destination

10th Street

Trip Plan

For this 188.8-mile drive, leaving Lake Charles in the morning is ideal, giving you ample time to reach Lockport well before dark. The 3h 39m duration means you can easily complete this in a single day. While there's only one recommended stop, you might want to plan for a quick break around the halfway mark, especially during the 94.9-mile stretch on US 90. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $29, and refueling options may become less frequent as you move away from major interstate exits.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94.4 miles from Lake Charles, LA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 42 miles or 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 94.4 miles or 1h 53m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lockport, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA

This is one driving day of about 188.8 miles and 3h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Lake Charles, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 90 for about 94.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, LA

94 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

Jennings, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.4 miles from Lake Charles, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

Annie Mae's Soul Food Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Franklin, Louisiana

1.3 mi

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Charles, Louisiana

1.9 mi

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

Annie Mae's Soul Food Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.4

Franklin, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13374717016

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+13374746065

Visit website

T-Coon's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.9

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13372330422

Visit website

Lake Area Adventures

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 3–8 pm

+13373101681

Visit website

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 80.9

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372334077

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 80.9

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13377068850

Visit website

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 67.4

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+13379892009

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 13.5

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 13.5

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15106572635

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.4

Scott, Louisiana

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Lake Charles Visitor Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13374369588

Visit website

Millennium Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+13374911280

Visit website

Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13374919147

Visit website

Escape Room Louisiana

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Closed

+13374295445

Visit website

We Rock the Spectrum - Lake Charles

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm

+13374191986

Visit website

Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 134.9

Patterson, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+19853991268

Visit website

The Children's Museum of Southwest Louisiana

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+13374261559

Visit website

Kemper Williams Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 134.9

Patterson, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19853952298

Visit website

Cajun Man's Swamp Tours and Adventures LLC

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 148.4

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19858684625

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 72.4 and 182.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
72.4 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
85.3 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in | LA 92-1 / Young Street

At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street

Navigation decision point

5
86.6 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
86.7 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

8
182.7 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

Take the exit toward LA 1: Thibodaux, Lockport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 215 Toward LA 1: Thibodaux, Lockport

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.51 one way

$57.03 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $31.30 $62.60
premium $4.56 $33.89 $67.77
diesel $5.61 $41.68 $83.37

Estimated Tolls: $0.32

Southwest Evangeline Thruway (4.6 mi) $0.32

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

$29

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.6 0 $19.82 $9.06
Efficient EV 47.2 0 $16.52 $7.55
EV Truck/SUV 75.5 0 $26.43 $12.08

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lake Charles, LA

Morning in Lake Charles on Sunday

Local time

6:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lockport, LA

Morning in Lockport on Sunday

Local time

6:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 39m 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?

This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the 188.8 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 94.9 miles on US 90, suggesting a good period of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur late in the trip, offering a different pace as you approach Lockport.

92% 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: 94.9 mi on US 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 90 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72.4 miles in.

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 20 significant decision points across 188.8 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 72.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 85.3 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 86.6 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

Starting 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 3h 39m. Total distance: 188.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 94.9 miles on US 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.32 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.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Lockport, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 72.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 85.3 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 86.6 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Lockport, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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