Chattanooga to Lake Charles: Road Trip Guide & Distance

567.6 miles 913.4 km · straight line
681.1 miles estimated 1096.1 km · driving distance
13h 42min estimated drive time
$66 - $81 estimated fuel cost
~1h 39min flight time
236° SW bearing direction

How far is Chattanooga from Lake Charles?

The distance from Chattanooga to Lake Charles is 567.6 miles (913.4 km) as the crow flies. Lake Charles is located SW of Chattanooga. By car, the driving distance is approximately 681.1 miles, taking about 13h 42min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 39min. Both are located in United States — Chattanooga in Tennessee 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. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Chattanooga and Lake Charles. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Chattanooga to Lake Charles

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 13h 42min $66 - $81 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 39min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~16h 26min $54–$102* Budget
Train ~17h 49min $82–$238* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chattanooga & Lake Charles

Quick Facts

Chattanooga
35.05°N, 85.31°W
America/New_York
206m 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 189 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 47 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 43.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients