How far is Central, LA from Ponchatoula, LA?
The driving distance from Central, LA to Ponchatoula, LA is about 44.2 miles (71.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Parish seat of Livingston Parish, Louisiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central and Ponchatoula.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central and Ponchatoula.
-
1
Start on Hooper Road
16 m · 9 sec · Hooper Road
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2
Turn left onto Sullivan Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · Sullivan Road
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3
Continue on Central Throughway
4 mi · 6 min · Central Throughway
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4
Continue on O Neal Lane
2486 ft · 46 sec · O Neal Lane
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5
Continue on O'Neal Lane
1.3 mi · 2 min · O'Neal Lane
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6
Turn left onto I 12 East: Hammond
1380 ft · 40 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto West Florida Republic Parkway
30.7 mi · 33 min · West Florida Republic Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: New Orleans
2320 ft · 57 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward LA 22: Springfield, Ponchatoula
853 ft · 21 sec
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11
Keep slight right
738 ft · 22 sec
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12
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
13
Turn left onto Northwest Railroad Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · Northwest Railroad Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northwest Railroad Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central and Ponchatoula.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge slight left onto West Florida Republic Parkway
30.7 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Central and Partly Sunny near Ponchatoula.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central to Ponchatoula?
The road trip is about 44.2 miles (71.1 km) and usually takes 00h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Livingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.1 miles from Central and 22.1 miles from Ponchatoula.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.91 one way or $11.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Central and Partly Sunny near Ponchatoula.
Stop Ideas Near Livingston
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Port Vincent Clerks Office
French Settlement Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Livingston.
Hammond
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Schriever
McComb
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central and Ponchatoula. Straight-line distance: 36.33 mi (58.47 km).
#1 Central
Suburb city of Baton Rouge, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 29,450 |
| Coordinates | 30.5543500, -91.0367700 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ponchatoula
City in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 7,545 |
| Coordinates | 30.4388000, -90.4414800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ponchatoula (-90.44148, 30.4388)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 71 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $5.91 | $11.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $6.64 | $13.29 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $7.22 | $14.43 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $8.45 | $16.89 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Louisiana · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.