Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Trip from Vivian, LA to Lake Charles, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
214.3 mi
345 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 9m
★
6 AM
4h 22m
8 AM
4h 49m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 29m
3 PM
4h 33m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Vivian, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Charles, LA
Liisbet Luup
Trip Overview
Vivian, LA to Lake Charles, LA is 214.3 miles and takes about 4h 21m via Mansfield Road and Highway 171, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The drive is primarily on surface roads with some highway sections, making it a good choice for a single-day excursion. You'll experience a mix of driving conditions on this 214.3-mile route, which is easily manageable within a few hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
107.1 miles from Vivian, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mansfield Road | 70.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| Highway 171 | 37.5 mi | 43m |
| Dowell Street | 21.6 mi | 25m |
| I 49 | 20.2 mi | 21m |
| Main Street | 12.9 mi | 17m |
| Shreveport Highway | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Highway 170 | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Joseph D. Waggonner Jr. Memorial Highway | 6.2 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Mansfield Road
— 70.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vivian, LA and Lake Charles, LA.
1
Start on West Arkansas Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
West Arkansas Avenue
2
Continue on South Pardue Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Pardue Street
3
Continue on LA 170
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 170
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
5
Merge onto I 49
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 49
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 220 West: Dallas
7
Merge onto I 220
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Joseph D. Waggonner Jr. Memorial Highway
8
Continue on LA 3132
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Inner Loop Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Walker Road
10
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Walker Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto LA 525
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Colquitt Road
12
Turn right onto US 171
70 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
Mansfield Road
13
Continue on US 171
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Georgia Avenue
14
Continue on US 171
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Dowell Street
15
Continue on US 171
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Shreveport Highway
16
Continue on US 171
239 ft
·
3 sec
·
Shreveport Highway
17
Enter roundabout onto US 171; LA 8
135 ft
·
1 sec
·
North 6th Street
18
Continue on US 171; LA 8
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 6th Street
19
Merge onto US 171
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South 5th Street
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 171
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South 5th Street
21
Continue on US 171
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Main Street
22
Continue on US 171
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
23
Continue on US 171
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North Pine Street
24
Turn left onto US 171; US 190
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 171; US 190
38 mi
·
43 min
·
Highway 171
26
Continue on US 171
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Martin Luther King Highway
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
28
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
30
Turn straight onto US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
31
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
32
Arrive at destination
Enterprise Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 21m estimated drive time, leaving Vivian, LA in the morning allows ample daylight to reach Lake Charles. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $29, and it's wise to fill up before heading out or when you see stations along Highway 171. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 70.1 miles on Mansfield Road, so plan your break around that point if needed.
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 107.1 miles from Vivian, LA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.1 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 47 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 33m
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 Vivian, 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 Vivian, LA
This is one driving day of about 214.3 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Vivian, 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 Mansfield Road for about 70.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.1 miles from Vivian, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Mansfield Road if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 166.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
28.6 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 220 West: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 220 West: Dallas
5
40.5 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
LA 525 / Colquitt Road
At end of road, turn left onto LA 525 / Colquitt Road
Navigation decision point
5
143.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
US 171; LA 8 / North 6th Street
Enter roundabout onto US 171; LA 8 / North 6th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
166.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street
Turn left onto US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.36 one way
$66.72 round trip
$3.95/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.78 | $73.55 |
| premium | $4.71 | $39.75 | $79.49 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $52.13 | $104.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.50 | $10.29 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.75 | $8.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.7 | 1 | $30.00 | $13.72 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Vivian, LA
Morning in Vivian on Monday
Local time
8:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Lake Charles, LA
Morning in Lake Charles on Monday
Local time
8:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
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
4h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 110.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive includes 32% highway driving. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 70.1 miles on Mansfield Road. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads, with the highway portion concluding well before you reach Lake Charles. The mixed profile means you'll navigate areas with more frequent intersections and slower speeds after leaving the highway segments.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.1 mi on Mansfield Road.
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 around 8.1 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 14 significant decision points across 214.3 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 8.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 28.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.5 miles (LA 525 / Colquitt Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
349 ft
11 ft
Total Climb
257 ft
Total Descent
502 ft
Highest Point
349 ft
~77.4 mi in
Elevation Range
339 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Vivian, LA
Full guide →Arriving in Lake Charles, LA
Full guide →Founded 1861
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.
Top landmarks
- • Muller's Department Store — historic department store in Lake Charles, Louisiana
- • Cash Grocery and Sales Company Warehouse
- • Calcasieu Parish Courthouse — historic building in Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
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 4h 21m. Total distance: 214.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.1 miles on Mansfield Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 28.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.5 miles (LA 525 / Colquitt Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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