Trip from Jonesboro, LA to Lake Charles, LA

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

168.3 mi

271 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 19m ★

6 AM

3h 31m

8 AM

3h 56m

10 AM

3h 40m

12 PM

3h 37m

3 PM

3h 41m

5 PM

3h 54m

8 PM

3h 24m

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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Lake Charles, LA

Liisbet Luup

Trip Overview

Traveling from Jonesboro to Lake Charles covers 170.3 miles through the heart of Louisiana. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $23 on fuel for the journey. Because this route involves local roads rather than major interstates, you will stay within the Southeast region for the duration of your trip. It is a straightforward trek that works well for travelers looking to move between these two points without the high-speed intensity of heavy highway traffic.

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

84.2 miles from Jonesboro, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating Chatham Highway, South Hudson Avenue, and Winnfield Highway, as this route features 0% highway share. Because there is no extended high-speed travel, your longest stretch on any single road is 0 miles on Chatham Highway, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by these local connections, so prepare for a drive that demands more focus on navigation than a typical freeway slog. It is a slower, more engaged experience that requires you to stay alert through every turn.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Masonic Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 78.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Hudson Avenue.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South Hudson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (US 167 / South Hudson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 67 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Hudson Avenue

Turn right onto South Hudson Avenue

Navigation decision point

1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 167 / South Hudson Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto US 167 / South Hudson Avenue

Navigation decision point

67 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Take the exit toward US 165: Monroe, Alexandria

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 165: Monroe, Alexandria

67.2 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 South: Alexandria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 165 South: Alexandria

75 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | US 165 / Masonic Drive

Enter roundabout onto US 165 / Masonic Drive

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Jonesboro, LA to Lake Charles, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Alexandria along the way.

Alexandria

67 mi in | ~1h 23m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Masonic Drive	78.1 mi	1h 36m
East Lafayette Street	43.1 mi	52m
Winnfield Highway	21.7 mi	27m
I 10	12.9 mi	14m
Macarthur Drive	4.3 mi	6m
Monroe Highway	2.9 mi	3m
South Hudson Avenue	2 mi	3m
Enterprise Boulevard	1.6 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Masonic Drive — 78.1 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Allen Avenue

109 ft · 2 sec · Allen Avenue

Turn left onto LA 4

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Chatham Highway

Turn right onto South Hudson Avenue

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Hudson Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto US 167

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Hudson Avenue

Continue on US 167

22 mi · 27 min · Winnfield Highway

Continue on US 84; US 167; LA 34

43 mi · 52 min · East Lafayette Street

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward US 165: Monroe, Alexandria

Keep slight right at fork

331 ft · 8 sec

Toward US 165 South: Alexandria

Merge onto US 165

2.9 mi · 3 min · Monroe Highway

Continue on US 71; US 165

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge

Continue on US 71; US 165

4.3 mi · 6 min · Macarthur Drive

Enter roundabout onto US 165

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Masonic Drive

Continue on US 165

78 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Masonic Drive

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Merge onto I 10

13 mi · 14 min · I 10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Turn straight onto US 90 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

Arrive at destination

Enterprise Boulevard

Trip Plan

Since the trip takes just under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart when it best suits your schedule. Try to plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, as the winding nature of these local roads can be more tiring than a straight interstate haul. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping in mind the $23 estimated cost, and top off before leaving Jonesboro to avoid searching for stations on smaller roads. Given the technical nature of the path, avoid driving during low-visibility conditions or heavy rain if possible. A smart tip for this specific route is to double-check your turn-by-turn navigation frequently, as the lack of major highway stretches means you will be making frequent transitions between local roads.

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 84.2 miles from Jonesboro, LA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.1 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.2 miles or 1h 46m 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 53m

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 Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, LA

This is one driving day of about 168.3 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jonesboro, 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 Masonic Drive for about 78.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.2 mi from Jonesboro, LA · 1h 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tyler, TX

84 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

Tyler, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tyler, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.2 miles from Jonesboro, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Masonic Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.1 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

$25.73 one way

$51.46 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$28.22	$56.44
premium	$4.61	$30.55	$61.09
diesel	$5.64	$37.39	$74.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	50.5	$17.67	$8.08
Efficient EV	42.1	$14.73	$6.73
EV Truck/SUV	67.3	$23.56	$10.77

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Jonesboro, LA

Evening in Jonesboro on Sunday

Local time

5:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Charles, LA

Evening in Lake Charles on Sunday

Local time

5:38 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

3 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

3h 31m 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 Jonesboro, LA to Lake Charles, LA covers 168.3 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Masonic Drive, East Lafayette Street, Winnfield Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 84.2 miles from Jonesboro, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.73 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from Jonesboro, LA to Lake Charles, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Alexandria along the way.

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Return Trip

Lake Charles, LA to Jonesboro, LA

Plan the drive back the other way.

168.3 mi 3h 32m

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Trip from Jonesboro, LA to Lake Charles, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Lake Charles, LA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Jonesboro, LA

Lake Charles, LA

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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