Origin
Delhi, LA
Morning in Delhi on Tuesday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Delhi, LA to Lake Charles, LA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 30m
Distance
226.2 mi
364 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 17m
★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 40m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Delhi, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Charles, LA
Liisbet Luup
Trip Overview
The drive from Delhi, LA to Lake Charles, LA covers 226.2 miles and takes about 4h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Masonic Drive, I 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.9 miles on Martin Luther King Jr Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
113.1 miles from Delhi, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 30m drive with frequent turns across 226.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Martin Luther King Jr Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 91.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 80 / West 1st Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 80 / West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 80 / West 1st Street
Turn left onto US 80 / West 1st Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
35.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 165 South: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 165 South: Columbia
4
132.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
US 165 / Masonic Drive
Enter roundabout onto US 165 / Masonic Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
210.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Jr Drive | 91.9 mi | 1h 47m |
| Masonic Drive | 78.1 mi | 1h 36m |
| I 20 | 34.6 mi | 37m |
| I 10 | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| Macarthur Drive | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Enterprise Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Broadway Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
— 91.9 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delhi, LA and Lake Charles, LA.
1
Start on Charter Street
187 ft
·
13 sec
·
Charter Street
2
Turn left onto US 80
196 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 1st Street
3
Turn right
181 ft
·
6 sec
4
Continue on LA 17
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
6
Merge onto I 20
35 mi
·
37 min
·
I 20
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 165 South: Columbia
8
Merge onto US 165
92 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
9
Continue on US 71; US 165
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
10
Continue on US 71; US 165
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Macarthur Drive
11
Enter roundabout onto US 165
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Masonic Drive
12
Continue on US 165
78 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Masonic Drive
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
14
Merge onto I 10
13 mi
·
14 min
·
I 10
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
16
Turn straight onto US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
17
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
18
Arrive at destination
Enterprise Boulevard
Trip Plan
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 113.1 miles from Delhi, LA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.9 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.1 miles or 2h 10m 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 40m
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 Delhi, 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 Delhi, LA
This is one driving day of about 226.2 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Delhi, 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 Martin Luther King Jr Drive for about 91.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.1 mi from Delhi, LA · 2h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.1 miles from Delhi, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Martin Luther King Jr Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.9 miles.
Arriving in Lake Charles, LA
The final approach into Lake Charles, LA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lake Charles, LA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.16 one way
$68.32 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $37.50 | $75.00 |
| premium | $4.56 | $40.60 | $81.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.94 | $99.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.75 | $10.86 |
| Efficient EV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.79 | $9.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.5 | 1 | $31.67 | $14.48 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in Lake Charles on Tuesday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 30m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Delhi, LA to Lake Charles, LA covers 226.2 miles and takes about 4h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Masonic Drive, I 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 113.1 miles from Delhi, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 80 / West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Delhi, LA to Lake Charles, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lake Charles, LA
More trips to Lake Charles, LA
Explore more options from Delhi, LA or browse trips ending in Lake Charles, LA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.
Explore maps for Delhi, LA or Lake Charles, LA on MapSof.net.