How far is DeRidder, LA from Ruston, LA?
The driving distance from DeRidder, LA to Ruston, LA is about 165.6 miles (266.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122 miles (196.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m 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 02h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Suburb village of Alexandria, located in Grant Parish, Louisiana, United States.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between DeRidder and Ruston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeRidder and Ruston.
-
1
Start on South Pine Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · South Pine Street
-
2
Continue on Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
-
3
Continue on Lake Charles Highway
12.9 mi · 17 min · Lake Charles Highway
-
4
Continue on South 5th Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · South 5th Street
-
5
Turn right onto Kurthwood Road
1966 ft · 39 sec · Kurthwood Road
-
6
Merge slight left onto Alexandria Highway
48 mi · 56 min · Alexandria Highway
-
7
Keep slight left
697 ft · 17 sec
-
8
Merge slight right onto Macarthur Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · Macarthur Drive
-
9
Continue on Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
3026 ft · 43 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
-
10
Continue on Monroe Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Monroe Highway
-
11
Turn slight left onto Shreveport Highway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Shreveport Highway
-
12
Turn left
953 ft · 23 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Pineville Expressway
41.2 mi · 50 min · Pineville Expressway
-
14
Continue on West Court Street
21.7 mi · 28 min · West Court Street
-
15
Continue on South Hudson Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · South Hudson Avenue
-
16
Continue on Old Winnfield Road
4 mi · 7 min · Old Winnfield Road
-
17
Continue on Quitman Highway
15.9 mi · 19 min · Quitman Highway
-
18
Continue on South Vienna Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · South Vienna Street
-
19
Turn right onto East California Avenue
51 m · 4 sec · East California Avenue
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East California Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between DeRidder and Ruston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Alexandria Highway
Merge slight left onto Alexandria Highway
48 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Sunny leaving DeRidder and Sunny near Ruston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from DeRidder to Ruston?
The road trip is about 165.6 miles (266.5 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Creola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.4 miles from DeRidder and 83.2 miles from Ruston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122 miles (196.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.6 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 12:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.85 one way or $45.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around DeRidder and Sunny near Ruston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between DeRidder and Ruston. Straight-line distance: 122.02 mi (196.38 km).
#1 DeRidder
Small city in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 10,521 |
| Coordinates | 30.8463100, -93.2890500 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ruston
Small city and parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 21,891 |
| Coordinates | 32.5232100, -92.6379300 |
| Altitude | 102 |
| Country | United States |
End: East California Avenue (-92.637902, 32.52365)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $22.85 | $45.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $25.56 | $51.11 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.92 | $55.84 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $34.01 | $68.01 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026