Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Raceland, LA to Lake Charles, 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 32m

Distance

183.1 mi

295 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 20m ★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 25m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Raceland, LA, LA

Raceland, LA

Israyosoy S.

Downtown Lake Charles, LA, LA

Lake Charles, LA

Liisbet Luup

Trip Overview

This 183.1-mile journey from Raceland to Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in one day. You'll spend about 3 hours and 32 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing US 90 and I-10, with a small segment on East University Avenue. With a projected fuel cost of around $28, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, making it efficient for covering ground across the Southeast region of Louisiana. You'll encounter just one recommended stop, allowing for a relatively uninterrupted trip.

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

91.5 miles from Raceland, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 90 91.3 mi 1h 39m
I 10 70.1 mi 1h 15m
East University Avenue 4.1 mi 7m
LA 182 3.2 mi 4m
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
Longest stretch: US 90 — 91.3 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on LA 182

33 ft · 2 sec · Mill Street
2

Turn right onto LA 1; LA 182

0.5 mi · 1 min · Highway 1
3

Turn left onto LA 182

3.2 mi · 4 min · LA 182
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
5

Merge onto US 90

91 mi · 1 hr 39 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

Given the 3-hour, 32-minute duration, departing Raceland in the morning will comfortably get you to Lake Charles within the same day. With only one suggested stop and a 92% highway share, you can minimize your breaks, perhaps planning for a quick fuel-up or stretch around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 91.3-mile stretch on US 90, to ensure you don't need to deviate significantly for gas. This relatively short drive offers flexibility, allowing you to leave when you're ready.

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 91.5 miles from Raceland, LA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.3 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 40 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 91.5 miles or 1h 41m 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 54m

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 Raceland, 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 Raceland, LA

This is one driving day of about 183.1 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Raceland, 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 91.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, LA

92 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 Lake Charles, LA

74.8 mi · 1h 25m

Pacing Suggestions

Morgan City, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.5 miles from Raceland, 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 91.3 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 end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 183.1

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

T-Coon's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lafayette, Louisiana

1.6 mi

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Charles, Louisiana

1.9 mi

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

T-Coon's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 104.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13372330422

Visit website

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+13374746065

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 104.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13377068850

Visit website

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 104.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372334077

Visit website

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 104.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13375340585

Visit website

Vestal Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $100 or ab mile 104.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13375340682

Visit website

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 104.6

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+13379892009

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 170

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 170

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15106572635

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 117.7

Scott, Louisiana

Lake Charles Visitor Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13374369588

Visit website

Explore Houma

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 13.1

Gray, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19858682732

Visit website

Cajun Coast Tourism

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 39.2

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19853808224

Visit website

Millennium Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+13374911280

Visit website

Lake End Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 39.2

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Visit website

Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13374919147

Visit website

Escape Room Louisiana

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Closed

+13374295445

Visit website

We Rock the Spectrum - Lake Charles

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 183.1

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm

+13374191986

Visit website

Da Swamp

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 13.1

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19853333013

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 0 and 101.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | LA 1; LA 182 / Highway 1

Turn right onto LA 1; LA 182 / Highway 1

Navigation decision point

4
95.4 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

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

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
95.6 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

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

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
96.6 mi into trip | ~1h 47m 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
101.7 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.65 one way

$55.30 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $30.36 $60.71
premium $4.56 $32.86 $65.73
diesel $5.61 $40.43 $80.85

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

$28

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.9 0 $19.23 $8.79
Efficient EV 45.8 0 $16.02 $7.32
EV Truck/SUV 73.2 0 $25.63 $11.72

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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

Raceland, LA

Morning in Raceland on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Charles, LA

Morning in Lake Charles on Sunday

Local time

6:32 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

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

3h 32m 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 for most of this 3-hour, 32-minute drive, with a substantial 92% of the route on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 91.3 miles primarily on US 90, offering a consistent pace. While much of the drive will be on interstates and major highways, there's a brief transition onto East University Avenue as you near your destination. The overall feel is one of efficient travel across the Louisiana landscape, minimizing complex turns or slower local roads.

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: 91.3 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 early in the drive near LA 1; LA 182 / Highway 1.

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 183.1 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: near the start (LA 1; LA 182 / Highway 1): Navigation decision point; at 95.4 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 95.6 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

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 3h 32m. Total distance: 183.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 32m 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 91.3 miles on US 90. 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.

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

The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 1; LA 182 / Highway 1): Navigation decision point; at 95.4 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 95.6 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Charles, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Lake Charles, LA

Marrero, LA 213.7 mi · 4h 3m Waggaman, LA 206.2 mi · 3h 59m Minden, LA 194.6 mi · 4h 12m Roseland, LA 190.1 mi · 3h 34m

More trips to Lake Charles, LA

Port Sulphur, LA 252.7 mi Pearl River, LA 220.6 mi Meraux, LA 215.8 mi Gretna, LA 210.5 mi Avondale, LA 206.6 mi New Orleans, LA 205.8 mi
Escape planner: Raceland, LA Scenic drives in LA

Explore more options from Raceland, LA or browse trips ending in Lake Charles, LA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.