How far is Donaldsonville, LA from Ruston, LA?
The driving distance from Donaldsonville, LA to Ruston, LA is about 246.6 miles (396.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Donaldsonville and Ruston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Donaldsonville and Ruston.
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1
Start on West 10th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · West 10th Street
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2
Continue on Highway 1 North
18.5 mi · 22 min · Highway 1 North
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3
Continue on Church Street
1 mi · 2 min · Church Street
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4
Continue on Highway 1
11.6 mi · 17 min · Highway 1
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West: Lafayette
2327 ft · 57 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward LA 415: Lobdell
1842 ft · 45 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on LA 415: Lobdell
97 m · 8 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi · 5 min · North Lobdell Highway
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10
Merge slight left onto State Route 1
49 mi · 1 hr 3 min · State Route 1
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
1494 ft · 36 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
64.6 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
1212 ft · 30 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
93.7 mi · 1 hr 59 min
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15
Turn right onto East California Avenue
51 m · 4 sec · East California Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East California Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Donaldsonville 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.
US 167 North
Keep slight left to continue on US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
93.7 mi · 01h 59m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Donaldsonville and Sunny near Ruston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Donaldsonville to Ruston?
The road trip is about 246.6 miles (396.8 km) and usually takes 04h 07m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cheneyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.1 miles from Donaldsonville and 123.5 miles from Ruston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.03 one way or $68.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Donaldsonville and Sunny near Ruston.
Stop Ideas Near Cheneyville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cheneyville.
Lafayette
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Donaldsonville and Ruston. Straight-line distance: 193.44 mi (311.31 km).
#1 Donaldsonville
City in Louisiana, United States
| Population | 8,638 |
| Coordinates | 30.1011400, -90.9941200 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| 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: 397 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $34.03 | $68.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $38.07 | $76.14 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.59 | $83.19 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $50.66 | $101.32 |
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