Trip from Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA

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

Drive Time

2h 14m

Distance

112 mi

180 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 5m ★

6 AM

2h 15m

8 AM

2h 34m

10 AM

2h 21m

12 PM

2h 20m

3 PM

2h 22m

5 PM

2h 33m

8 PM

2h 9m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA covers 112 miles and takes about 2h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Airline Highway, Lawler Highway, US 165 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.5 miles on Airline Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.91 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.

Midpoint

56 miles from Livonia, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 112 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (28%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 14m drive with frequent turns across 112 miles of local and secondary roads.

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

There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Airline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 190 / Airline Highway.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA is easy. At 2h 14m with 28% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 190 / Airline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (US 165): Navigation decision point; at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

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

5

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 190 / Airline Highway

Turn right onto US 190 / Airline Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

3

78.7 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | US 165

Turn left onto US 165

Navigation decision point

4

96.7 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

3

97.2 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining

3

110.1 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Airline Highway	37.5 mi	47m
Lawler Highway	21.5 mi	24m
US 165	18.1 mi	21m
Main Street	13 mi	14m
I 10	12.9 mi	14m
Basile Eunice Highway	6.4 mi	7m
Enterprise Boulevard	1.6 mi	3m
State Route 78	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Airline Highway — 37.5 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on LA 78

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 78

2

Turn right onto US 190

38 mi · 47 min · Airline Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

3

Continue on US 190

21 mi · 24 min · Lawler Highway

4

Continue on US 190

6.4 mi · 7 min · Basile Eunice Highway

5

Continue on US 190

13 mi · 14 min · Main Street

6

Turn left onto US 165

18 mi · 21 min · US 165

7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec

8

Merge onto I 10

13 mi · 14 min · I 10

9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

10

Turn straight onto US 90 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

11

Continue on Enterprise Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Enterprise Boulevard

12

Arrive at destination

Enterprise Boulevard

Trip Plan

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 56 miles from Livonia, LA, or about 1h 8m 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 25 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56 miles or 1h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 49m

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 Livonia, 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 Livonia, LA

This is one driving day of about 112 miles and 2h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Livonia, LA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Airline Highway for about 37.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56 mi from Livonia, LA · 1h 8m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eunice, LA

56 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

Opelousas, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eunice, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56 miles from Livonia, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 112

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Charles, Louisiana

1.9 mi

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 112

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 112

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+13374746065

Visit website

Lake Area Adventures

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 112

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 3–8 pm

+13373101681

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 32

Opelousas, Louisiana

+33172676914

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 96

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 112

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 112

Lake Charles, Louisiana

+18006360986

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 56

Eunice, Louisiana

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+13374576540

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.91 one way

$33.83 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$18.57	$37.14
premium	$4.56	$20.10	$40.21
diesel	$5.61	$24.73	$49.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	33.6	$11.76	$5.38
Efficient EV	28	$9.80	$4.48
EV Truck/SUV	44.8	$15.68	$7.17

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Livonia, LA

Morning in Livonia on Saturday

Local time

9:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Charles, LA

Morning in Lake Charles on Saturday

Local time

9:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 14m 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 Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA covers 112 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Airline Highway, Lawler Highway, US 165. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 56 miles from Livonia, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.91 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 Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA is easy. At 2h 14m with 28% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 190 / Airline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (US 165): Navigation decision point; at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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.

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Trip from Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Lake Charles, LA

Nearby Places

Pujo St Cafe

Pujo St Cafe

Southern Spice Restaurant & Grill

Lake Area Adventures

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Nissan Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargeLab Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Lake Charles Visitor Center

Millennium Park

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

Eunice Depot Museum

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Livonia, LA

Lake Charles, LA

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 14m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How hard is the drive from Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Livonia, LA to Lake Charles, LA?

How this page is built

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