Albuquerque to Lake Charles: Road Trip Guide & Distance

850.6 miles 1368.9 km · straight line
983 miles actual route 1582 km · driving distance
17h 46min estimated drive time
$95 - $116 estimated fuel cost
~2h 13min flight time
110° ESE bearing direction

How far is Albuquerque from Lake Charles?

The distance from Albuquerque to Lake Charles is 850.6 miles (1368.9 km) as the crow flies. Lake Charles is located ESE of Albuquerque. By car, the driving distance is approximately 983 miles, taking about 17h 46min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 13min. Both are located in United States — Albuquerque in New Mexico and Lake Charles in Louisiana.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Albuquerque and Lake Charles. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Albuquerque to Lake Charles

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 17h 46min $95 - $116 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 13min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~21h 19min $79–$147* Budget
Train ~23h 6min $118–$344* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Albuquerque & Lake Charles

Quick Facts

Albuquerque
35.08°N, 106.65°W
America/Denver
1520m elevation
Lake Charles
30.21°N, 93.20°W
America/Chicago
4m elevation
Explore more routes from Lake Charles

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 284 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 71 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 29.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM