Pujo St Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm
+13374392054
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
169.2 mi
272 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Charles, LA
Liisbet Luup
Schriever, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 169.2 miles across Southeast Louisiana, the drive from Lake Charles to Schriever is a manageable journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 19 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and efficient, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing a combination of I-10, US 90, and LA 20, you move steadily across the state’s southern landscape. This route is an excellent choice if you are looking for a practical, no-fuss transit between these two points without the need for extensive travel planning.
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
84.6 miles from Lake Charles, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 90 | 74.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 10 | 70.1 mi | 1h 15m |
| LA 20 | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| Southwest Evangeline Thruway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Charles, LA and Schriever, LA.
Start on Enterprise Boulevard
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
Turn right onto Belden Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10; US 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto North University Avenue
Merge onto US 90; LA 182
Continue on US 90; LA 182
Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue
Turn left onto LA 3073
Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
Turn left onto St Etienne Road
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
Take the exit
Turn right onto LA 20
Turn right onto LA 20
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3-hour and 19-minute transit, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since the route relies heavily on major highways, keep an eye on traffic patterns, especially when transitioning between I-10 and US 90. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid peak congestion and ensure a relaxed arrival. Given the $26 fuel estimate, topping off your tank in Lake Charles before you depart will help you avoid unnecessary stops later. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort, but staying focused on the primary roads will keep your arrival time predictable.
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.
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 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.6 miles or 1h 40m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Schriever, LA than in the middle of the route.
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 169.2 miles and 3h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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.
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 84.6 miles from Lake Charles, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm
+13374392054
Annie Mae's Soul Food Restaurant
Franklin, Louisiana
Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Near the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm
+13374392054
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Franklin, Louisiana
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+13374717016
Near the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm
+13374746065
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13375340585
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Louisiana
Hours: 4–9 pm
+13375340682
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Louisiana
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13372334077
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+13377068850
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Lafayette, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm
+13379892009
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Iowa, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, short detour
Iowa, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15106572635
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13374826858
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
+18006360986
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+13374369588
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+13374911280
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+13374919147
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Morgan City, Louisiana
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19853808224
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: Closed
+13374295445
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Jennings, Louisiana
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18002645521
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Louisiana
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13372328500
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm
+13374191986
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Morgan City, Louisiana
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.1 and 86.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward LA 182
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$25.55 one way
$51.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $28.05 | $56.10 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.37 | $60.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.36 | $74.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$26
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.77 | $8.12 |
| Efficient EV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.80 | $6.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.7 | 0 | $23.69 | $10.83 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Lake Charles on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Schriever on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 91% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, with the longest uninterrupted stretch reaching 74.5 miles along US 90. While the drive begins on busier interstate corridors, the transition toward LA 20 offers a shift in the road's personality as you head toward Schriever. The experience is primarily about efficiency, providing a consistent pace that allows you to cover the distance without frequent interruptions. It is a straightforward trip that prioritizes reliable road surfaces and direct navigation over winding secondary paths.
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 72.1 miles in.
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 169.2 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 72.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 72.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 85.3 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
30 ft
Total Descent
29 ft
Highest Point
35 ft
~63.5 mi in
Elevation Range
29 ft
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 169.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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