Origin
DeRidder, LA
Afternoon in DeRidder on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from DeRidder, LA to Lake Charles, LA
Drive Time
59m
Distance
48.1 mi
77 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
DeRidder, LA
Miguel Cuenca
Lake Charles, LA
Liisbet Luup
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward journey in Southeast Louisiana, the 48.1-mile trek from DeRidder to Lake Charles is an ideal choice. You can easily complete this drive in about 59 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $7, the route is highly economical for those moving between these two points. Because the trip is short, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, you will find this transition between DeRidder and Lake Charles to be efficient and uncomplicated.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
24.1 miles from DeRidder, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience as you navigate this route, with roughly 80% of your time spent on major roads. Your primary path relies on Highway 171, Martin Luther King Highway, and West 1st Street to guide you to your destination. You will spend the bulk of your time on the road tackling a 37.5-mile stretch on Highway 171, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. Behind the wheel, you will notice a consistent pace that transitions from the local feel of DeRidder into the more developed corridors near Lake Charles. It is a functional, direct drive that favors speed and reliability over winding, technical paths.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 171 is the longest continuous segment at about 37.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 171 and Martin Luther King Highway. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from DeRidder, LA to Lake Charles, LA is easy. At 59m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 45 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street
Turn right onto US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
3
44.6 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
3
45 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
46.2 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
3
46.5 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
US 90 Bus / Enterprise Boulevard
Turn straight onto US 90 Bus / Enterprise Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 171 | 37.5 mi | 43m |
| Martin Luther King Highway | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| West 1st Street | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| Enterprise Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| I 10 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South Pine Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 171
— 37.5 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeRidder, LA and Lake Charles, LA.
1
Start on LA 27
155 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Pine Street
2
Turn right onto US 171; US 190
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West 1st Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 171; US 190
38 mi
·
43 min
·
Highway 171
4
Continue on US 171
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Martin Luther King Highway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
6
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
8
Turn straight onto US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on Enterprise Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Enterprise Boulevard
10
Arrive at destination
Enterprise Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick sub-one-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You will not need to worry about mid-trip stops, as the entire 48.1-mile distance can be covered in one go without fatigue. Keep in mind that because this route is almost entirely highway-based, maintaining a steady speed is key to keeping your fuel consumption near the estimated $7 mark. Before you head out, double-check your tire pressure to ensure efficiency on that long 37.5-mile stretch of Highway 171. Embracing the simplicity of this short drive allows you to arrive in Lake Charles with plenty of time to spare for your planned activities.
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 24.1 miles from DeRidder, LA, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.5 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 48.1 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.1 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
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 DeRidder, 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 DeRidder, LA
This is one driving day of about 48.1 miles and 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from DeRidder, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Highway 171 for about 37.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.1 mi from DeRidder, LA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 48.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.1 miles from DeRidder, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$7.35 one way
$14.71 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $8.07 | $16.13 |
| premium | $4.61 | $8.73 | $17.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.69 | $21.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.05 | $2.31 |
| Efficient EV | 12 | 0 | $4.21 | $1.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.73 | $3.08 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
19 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
59m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from DeRidder, LA to Lake Charles, LA covers 48.1 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 171, Martin Luther King Highway, West 1st Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.1 miles from DeRidder, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from DeRidder, LA to Lake Charles, LA is easy. At 59m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 45 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from DeRidder, LA to Lake Charles, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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