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Trip from Lake Charles, LA to Marrero, LA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

213.7 mi

344 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 50m ★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m

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 Marrero, LA, LA

Marrero, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This roughly 214-mile drive from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Marrero, Louisiana, is designed for a single day, taking about 4 hours to complete. You'll primarily be on interstates, with 98% of the journey utilizing major highways like I-10, the Pontchartrain Expressway, and the Westbank Expressway. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's a straightforward trip without the need for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $33. This route keeps you within the Southeast region of Louisiana, offering a direct path across the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

106.9 miles from Lake Charles, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 10 199 mi 3h 42m
Pontchartrain Expressway 5.9 mi 6m
Westbank Expressway 5.6 mi 7m
Enterprise Boulevard 1.7 mi 3m
Crescent City Connection 0.7 mi 1m
Barataria Boulevard 0.3 mi <1m
Belden Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 10 — 199 mi, about 3h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

199 mi · 3 hr 42 min · I 10; US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

3.5 mi · 4 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business District Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS

2.4 mi · 2 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on US 90 BUS

0.7 mi · 1 min · Crescent City Connection
9

Continue on US 90 BUS

5.4 mi · 6 min · Westbank Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Exit 4B Toward LA 45: Barataria Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn straight onto Westbank Expressway

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Westbank Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Turn right onto LA 45

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Barataria Boulevard
13

Arrive at destination

LA 18

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour drive, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Marrero with plenty of daylight. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility to make it a quick break or a more extended pause. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is a substantial 199 miles on I-10, so be sure to fuel up before embarking on this segment. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the New Orleans metropolitan area, which can influence your final travel time. Given the efficiency of this route, you can easily adjust your schedule as needed.

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 106.9 miles from Lake Charles, LA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199 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 47 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.9 miles or 2h 1m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marrero, 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 213.7 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 I 10 for about 199 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Addis, LA, LA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Addis, LA

107 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.

Popular next leg

Addis, LA to Marrero, LA

96.4 mi · 1h 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Crowley, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.9 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 I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 199 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

NolaKorea Korean Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Metairie, Louisiana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 17min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15047028811

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lake Charles, Louisiana

1.3 mi

Giorlando's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Metairie, Louisiana

1.5 mi

NolaKorea Korean Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Metairie, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15047028811

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

Giorlando's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Metairie, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–8:45 pm

+15048358593

Visit website

Bullfish Bistro

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12254781690

Visit website

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

Court Street Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Port Allen, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12253304669

Visit website

Parasol's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+15043549079

Visit website

Fausto's Bistro

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $30 to $50

Metairie, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15048337121

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

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

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Metairie, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Harvey, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

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

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

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

Acadiana Park Nature Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13372918448

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

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

West Baton Rouge Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Port Allen, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+12253362422

Visit website

Buckner Mansion

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 213.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 10; US 90

Merge onto I 10; US 90

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
200.9 mi into trip | ~3h 46m in | I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
204.5 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in | US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
212.9 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in

Take the exit toward LA 45: Barataria Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 4B Toward LA 45: Barataria Boulevard
5
213.4 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in | LA 45 / Barataria Boulevard

Turn right onto LA 45 / Barataria Boulevard

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.27 one way

$64.55 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $35.43 $70.86
premium $4.56 $38.36 $76.71
diesel $5.61 $47.18 $94.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.1 0 $22.44 $10.26
Efficient EV 53.4 0 $18.70 $8.55
EV Truck/SUV 85.5 1 $29.92 $13.68

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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 20, 2026

Origin

Lake Charles, LA

Late night in Lake Charles on Tuesday

Local time

4:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Marrero, LA

Late night in Marrero on Tuesday

Local time

4:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°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

1 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

4h 3m on the road

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

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 206.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with nearly all of the 214 miles covered on interstates. The character of the road is largely consistent, featuring long stretches of fast-paced driving. You'll experience a continuous 199-mile segment on I-10, which means minimal distractions but also a steady, uninterrupted pace. While the majority is interstate, the final approach into Marrero may involve transitions onto expressways, maintaining the efficient, high-speed nature of the journey. It's a route built for covering distance efficiently.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 199 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Pontchartrain Expressway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near I 10; US 90.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 213.7 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (I 10; US 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.9 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles (US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

33 ft -1 ft

Total Climb

52 ft

Total Descent

61 ft

Highest Point

33 ft

~61.1 mi in

Elevation Range

35 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Lake Charles, LA and Marrero, LA, road signs point toward New Orleans and Business District.

New Orleans

200.9 mi in | ~3h 46m | via I 10

Business District

200.9 mi in | ~3h 46m | via I 10

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 4h 3m. Total distance: 213.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 199 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Marrero, 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 2 miles (I 10; US 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.9 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles (US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Marrero, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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