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Trip from Lake Charles, LA to Schriever, 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 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 8m ★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m

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

Downtown Lake Charles, LA, LA

Lake Charles, LA

Liisbet Luup

census-designated place in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States

Schriever, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: US 90 — 74.5 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · US 90
22

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
23

Turn right onto LA 20

6.2 mi · 10 min · LA 20
24

Turn right onto LA 20

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Highway 24
25

Arrive at destination

Highway 24

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.6 miles from Lake Charles, LA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.5 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 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.

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 169.2 miles and 3h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 74.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, LA

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.

Popular next leg

Lafayette, LA to Schriever, LA

94.8 mi · 1h 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Jennings, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

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

1.5 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 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120.9

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

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 72.5

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13375340585

Visit website

Vestal Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $100 or ab mile 72.5

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13375340682

Visit website

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 72.5

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372334077

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 72.5

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13377068850

Visit website

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 72.5

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+13379892009

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 12.1

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

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

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 12.1

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15106572635

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 72.5

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13374826858

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 72.5

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

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

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

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

Cajun Coast Tourism

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 145.1

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19853808224

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

Gator Chateau

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 36.3

Jennings, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18002645521

Visit website

Children's Museum of Acadiana

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 72.5

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13372328500

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

Lake End Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 145.1

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

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 72.1 and 86.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward LA 182

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward LA 182
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.55 one way

$51.11 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
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

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

$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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lake Charles, LA

Night in Lake Charles on Saturday

Local time

11:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Schriever, LA

Night in Schriever on Saturday

Local time

11:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

20 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 19m 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 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.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.5 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 72.1 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 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

35 ft 6 ft

Total Climb

30 ft

Total Descent

29 ft

Highest Point

35 ft

~63.5 mi in

Elevation Range

29 ft

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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 74.5 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 Schriever, 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 72.1 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Schriever, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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