Origin
Sunset, LA
Afternoon in Sunset on Sunday
Local time
12:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sunset, 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
1h 35m
Distance
85.6 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sunset, LA
Dusan Milojevic
Lake Charles, LA
Liisbet Luup
Trip Overview
This direct 85.6-mile drive from Sunset to Lake Charles in Louisiana takes approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes and is well-suited for a single-day trip. Primarily utilizing US 167 and I-10, with a brief section on Veterans Memorial Expressway, this route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 94% of the journey on faster roads. You can expect a fuel cost of around $13 for this relatively short distance. Given its manageable length and efficient highway routing, this trip is perfect for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stop. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience across Louisiana.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.8 miles from Sunset, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 167 | 58 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 10 | 13.9 mi | 15m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.1 mi | 8m |
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Enterprise Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Duffy Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Napoleon Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| State Highway 93 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 167
— 58 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunset, LA and Lake Charles, LA.
1
Start on Anna Street
135 ft
·
11 sec
·
Anna Street
2
Turn left onto Landry Street
404 ft
·
22 sec
·
Landry Street
3
Turn right onto LA 93; LA 182
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Napoleon Avenue
4
Turn left onto LA 93
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Duffy Avenue
5
Continue on LA 93
511 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 93
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Lafayette
7
Merge onto I 49; US 167
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
8
Continue on I 49; US 167
8.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Take the exit onto US 167
58 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
US 167
Toward I 10 West: Lake Charles
10
Continue on I 10
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 10
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
12
Turn straight onto US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
13
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
14
Arrive at destination
Enterprise Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just 1 hour and 35 minutes, this 85.6-mile drive offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive at your destination with time to spare. There are no designated stops in the data, but given the short duration, you might not need a significant break. However, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 58-mile stretch on US 167, and plan your refueling accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is about $13, so factor that into your budget. Leaving later in the morning could help you avoid any potential rush hour traffic around the urban areas at either end of your trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.8 miles from Sunset, LA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58 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 19 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
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 Sunset, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sunset, LA
This is one driving day of about 85.6 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Sunset, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 167 for about 58 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.8 miles from Sunset, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 11.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Landry Street
Turn left onto Landry Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
LA 93; LA 182 / Napoleon Avenue
Turn right onto LA 93; LA 182 / Napoleon Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
LA 93 / Duffy Avenue
Turn left onto LA 93 / Duffy Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Lafayette
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Lafayette
4
11.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 10 West: Lake Charles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 10 West: Lake Charles
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.93 one way
$25.86 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.19 | $28.38 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.36 | $30.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.90 | $37.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.99 | $4.11 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.49 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Lake Charles, LA
Afternoon in Lake Charles on Sunday
Local time
12:28 PM
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
1h 35m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this 85.6-mile journey, with 94% of the drive taking place on faster roads like US 167 and I-10. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 58 miles on US 167, allowing for consistent progress. This route doesn't offer many deviations from the main arteries, making it a straightforward drive. The character of the road remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over winding scenic byways. It’s a route designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58 mi on US 167.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 167 and I 10. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Landry Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Sunset, LA to Lake Charles, LA is easy. At 1h 35m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Landry Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (LA 93; LA 182 / Napoleon Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (LA 93 / Duffy Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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 1h 35m. Total distance: 85.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58 miles on US 167. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Landry Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (LA 93; LA 182 / Napoleon Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (LA 93 / Duffy Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Charles, LA before heading back.
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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