Trip from Lake Charles, LA to Vidalia, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 33m

Distance

167.8 mi

270 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 21m ★

6 AM

3h 33m

8 AM

3h 58m

10 AM

3h 42m

12 PM

3h 40m

3 PM

3h 43m

5 PM

3h 57m

8 PM

3h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Lake Charles, LA

Liisbet Luup

Vidalia, LA

Miguel Cuenca

Trip Overview

The drive from Lake Charles, LA to Vidalia, LA covers 167.8 miles and takes about 3h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 165, LA 28, US 84 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.3 miles on US 165. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.34 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

83.9 miles from Lake Charles, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 165	78.3 mi	1h 36m
LA 28	32.2 mi	42m
US 84	27.2 mi	33m
I 10	12.7 mi	14m
East Wallace Boulevard	9.2 mi	10m
Pineville Expressway	2.1 mi	3m
Masonic Drive	1.8 mi	3m
Enterprise Boulevard	1.7 mi	3m

Longest stretch: US 165 — 78.3 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Enterprise Boulevard

478 ft · 14 sec · Enterprise Boulevard

Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

1.6 mi · 3 min · Enterprise Boulevard

Turn right onto Belden Street

93 ft · 1 sec · Belden Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Merge onto I 10; US 90

13 mi · 14 min · I 10; US 90

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec

Toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria

Keep slight left at fork

444 ft · 11 sec

Continue on US 165

78 mi · 1 hr 36 min · US 165

Enter roundabout onto LA 1208-5

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Masonic Drive

Continue on LA 1208-5

1.4 mi · 3 min · Masonic Drive

Continue on Fenner Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Fenner Street

Turn left onto US 167 Bus

0.7 mi · 1 min · Overton Street

Continue on US 167 Bus; LA 1; LA 28 Bus

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Casson Street

Take the ramp onto US 167 Bus; LA 28 Bus

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 167 Bus; LA 28 Bus

Merge onto US 167; LA 28

2.1 mi · 3 min · Pineville Expressway

Take the exit onto LA 28

0.2 mi · 18 sec · LA 28

Toward LA 3100 West, LA 28 East: Pineville, Jonesville

Keep slight right at fork onto LA 28

32 mi · 41 min · LA 28

Toward LA 28 East: Jonesville, Ferriday

At end of road, turn right onto US 84

27 mi · 33 min · US 84

Turn right onto US 84; US 425

9.2 mi · 10 min · East Wallace Boulevard

Turn left onto Magnolia Street

156 ft · 5 sec · Magnolia Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Carter Street

0.1 mi · 35 sec · Carter Street

Turn right onto Louisiana Avenue

330 ft · 15 sec · Louisiana Avenue

Turn right onto US 84; US 425

14 ft · 0 sec · US 84; US 425

Arrive at destination

US 84; US 425

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 83.9 miles from Lake Charles, LA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.3 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 37 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 83.9 miles or 1h 44m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vidalia, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA

This is one driving day of about 167.8 miles and 3h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lake Charles, 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 US 165 for about 78.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

suburb city of Alexandria, located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pineville, LA

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

Crowley, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alexandria, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.9 miles from Lake Charles, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 165 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.3 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

The Creek Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Woodworth, Louisiana

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.9

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13184490674

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lake Charles, Louisiana

1.3 mi

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Charles, Louisiana

1.9 mi

The Creek Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.9

Woodworth, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13184490674

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+13374746065

Visit website

The Cottage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 95.9

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13184484220

Visit website

Brocatos Breakfast & Lunch

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 95.9

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 6–9:30 am

+13184437520

Visit website

Little Tokyo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 167.8

Natchez, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+16013045802

Lake Area Adventures

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 3–8 pm

+13373101681

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 95.9

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 95.9

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Eaton Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 167.8

Natchez, Mississippi

+18773862273

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 12

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 167.8

Natchez, Mississippi

+16013045378

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 12

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15106572635

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13374295300

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.7 and 167.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

14.7 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria

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

Toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria

98.9 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | LA 28

Take the exit onto LA 28 toward LA 3100 West, LA 28 East: Pineville, Jonesville

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

Toward LA 3100 West, LA 28 East: Pineville, Jon...

99.1 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | LA 28

Keep slight right at fork onto LA 28 toward LA 28 East: Jonesville, Ferriday

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward LA 28 East: Jonesville, Ferriday

131.1 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | US 84

At end of road, turn right onto US 84

Navigation decision point

167.5 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in | Magnolia Street

Turn left onto Magnolia Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.34 one way

$50.68 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$27.82	$55.64
premium	$4.56	$30.12	$60.24
diesel	$5.61	$37.05	$74.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	50.3	$17.62	$8.05
Efficient EV	42	$14.68	$6.71
EV Truck/SUV	67.1	$23.49	$10.74

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lake Charles, LA

Afternoon in Lake Charles on Saturday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Vidalia, LA

Afternoon in Vidalia on Saturday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

25 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

3h 33m 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?

167.8 mi in 3h 33m, mostly highway — 78.3 mi of that is on US 165.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 78.3 mi on US 165.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 165 and LA 28. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 14.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167.8 miles you will encounter 16 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 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.9 miles (LA 28): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.1 miles (LA 28): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Lake Charles, LA and Vidalia, LA, road signs point toward Alexandria, Jonesville and Ferriday.

Alexandria

14.7 mi in | ~18m

Jonesville

98.9 mi in | ~2h 5m | via LA 28

Ferriday

99.1 mi in | ~2h 5m | via LA 28

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 167.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78.3 miles on US 165. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Vidalia, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Lake Charles, LA or browse trips ending in Vidalia, LA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.

Trip from Lake Charles, LA to Vidalia, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

The Creek Restaurant

The Creek Restaurant

Pujo St Cafe

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

The Cottage Restaurant

Brocatos Breakfast & Lunch

Little Tokyo

Lake Area Adventures

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Eaton Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Lake Charles Visitor Center

Millennium Park

Alexandria Museum of Art

Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center

Escape Room Louisiana

We Rock the Spectrum - Lake Charles

The Children's Museum of Southwest Louisiana

Bayou Escape Rooms

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lake Charles, LA

Vidalia, LA

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 33m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Vidalia, LA

More from Lake Charles, LA

More trips to Vidalia, LA