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Trip from Thibodaux, 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 25m

Distance

172.9 mi

278 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 13m ★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m

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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city in and the parish seat of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States

Thibodaux, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Lake Charles, LA, LA

Lake Charles, LA

Liisbet Luup

Trip Overview

Spanning 172.9 miles across Southeast Louisiana, your journey from Thibodaux to Lake Charles typically takes about 3 hours and 25 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $26 on fuel, making this an affordable transit between these two distinct hubs. You will primarily utilize a combination of LA 20, the Raceland-M C Express, and I-10 to navigate the region. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the route offers a straightforward path that avoids unnecessary complexity. It serves as an efficient connection, allowing you to bridge the gap between Southeast Louisiana locations with minimal logistical stress.

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

86.4 miles from Thibodaux, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Raceland-M C Express 75 mi 1h 21m
I 10 70.1 mi 1h 15m
LA 20 6.1 mi 10m
East University Avenue 4.1 mi 7m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway 2.7 mi 3m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway 2.5 mi 3m
Main Street 2.4 mi 3m
Enterprise Boulevard 1.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Raceland-M C Express — 75 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on LA 1

116 ft · 6 sec · Saint Mary Street
2

Turn right onto LA 20

0.6 mi · 53 sec · Jackson Street
3

Enter roundabout onto LA 20

139 ft · 2 sec · Canal Boulevard
4

Continue on LA 20

0.8 mi · 1 min · Canal Boulevard
5

Continue on LA 20

2.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street
6

Turn slight right onto LA 20

0.2 mi · 31 sec · LA 20
7

Turn left onto LA 20

5.9 mi · 10 min · LA 20
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
9

Merge onto US 90

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Raceland-M C Express
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.4 mi · 28 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
15

Take the exit onto LA 92-1

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Young Street
16

Continue on LA 92-1

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Young Street
17

Turn right onto St Etienne Road

1.0 mi · 3 min · St Etienne Road
18

At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

0.1 mi · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive
19

Turn left onto LA 3073

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
20

Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Morgan Avenue
21

Turn right onto US 90; LA 182

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
22

Keep slight left at fork

158 ft · 7 sec
23

Turn left onto US 90; LA 182

2.5 mi · 2 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
24

Continue on US 90; LA 182

2.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
25

Turn left onto East University Avenue

4.1 mi · 7 min · East University Avenue
26

Turn left

0.3 mi · 41 sec
27

Merge onto I 10; US 167

70 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 10; US 167
28

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
29

Turn straight onto US 90 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
30

Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard
31

Arrive at destination

Enterprise Boulevard

Trip Plan

Since the trip is a relatively short 3 hours and 25 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Planning for one scheduled stop will help break up the drive comfortably and keep you refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $26 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional prices. A smart strategy is to tackle the 75-mile stretch on the Raceland-M C Express early in your trip to clear the local segments before hitting the heavier traffic patterns on I-10. By pacing yourself this way, you ensure a smooth arrival in Lake Charles without feeling fatigued by the time you reach your destination.

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 86.4 miles from Thibodaux, LA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 38 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.4 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 50m

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 Thibodaux, 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 Thibodaux, LA

This is one driving day of about 172.9 miles and 3h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Thibodaux, 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 Raceland-M C Express for about 75 miles.

Where to Stop

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

seat of Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Iberia, LA

86 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

Morgan City, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.4 miles from Thibodaux, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Raceland-M C Express if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 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

Cinclare Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Thibodaux, Louisiana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $10

Hours: 5–9 pm

+19852279507

Visit website

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Louisiana

0.7 mi

Vestal Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Louisiana

0.6 mi

Cinclare Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $10

Thibodaux, Louisiana

Hours: 5–9 pm

+19852279507

Visit website

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13375340585

Visit website

Vestal Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $100 or ab mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13375340682

Visit website

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 172.9

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13377068850

Visit website

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 172.9

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+13374746065

Visit website

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372334077

Visit website

Annie Mae's Soul Food Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.4

Franklin, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13374717016

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 160.5

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13374826858

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 172.9

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 160.5

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15106572635

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 86.4

Broussard, Louisiana

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 172.9

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 172.9

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 172.9

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Visit website

Lake Charles Visitor Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 172.9

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13374369588

Visit website

Children's Museum of Acadiana

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13372328500

Visit website

Peltier Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Thibodaux, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19854938757

Lafayette Science Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13372915544

Visit website

The Lafayette Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372342208

Visit website

Millennium Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 172.9

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+13374911280

Visit website

Girard Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 98.8

Lafayette, 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 172.9

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13374919147

Visit website

Moncus Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 98.8

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+13375001177

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 91.5 — 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 20 / Jackson Street

Turn right onto LA 20 / Jackson Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | LA 20 / Canal Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto LA 20 / Canal Boulevard

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
85.2 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

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

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
86.4 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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
91.5 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.11 one way

$52.22 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $28.66 $57.33
premium $4.56 $31.03 $62.07
diesel $5.61 $38.17 $76.35

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

$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: 60.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.9 0 $18.15 $8.30
Efficient EV 43.2 0 $15.13 $6.92
EV Truck/SUV 69.2 0 $24.21 $11.07

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 17, 2026

Origin

Thibodaux, LA

Night in Thibodaux on Saturday

Local time

11:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Charles, LA

Night in Lake Charles on Saturday

Local time

11:42 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 25m 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 mixed driving profile that transitions from local corridors to high-speed transit. You will spend 46% of your time on highways, balancing the slower pace of state roads with the efficiency of the interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 75 miles on the Raceland-M C Express, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. As you shift from the local road network onto I-10, the character of the drive changes significantly, moving from regional routes to a major thoroughfare. This combination keeps the experience varied, preventing the monotony often found on longer, single-road journeys.

46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75 mi on Raceland-M C Express.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 20 / Jackson Street.

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 22 significant decision points across 172.9 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 20 / Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (LA 20 / Canal Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.2 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 25m. Total distance: 172.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 75 miles on Raceland-M C Express. 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 20 / Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (LA 20 / Canal Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.2 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 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.

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