How far is Houma, LA from Ruston, LA?
The driving distance from Houma, LA to Ruston, LA is about 285.1 miles (458.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 232 miles (373.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 16m 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 38m.
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 Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houma and Ruston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houma and Ruston.
-
1
Start on School Street
14 m · 7 sec · School Street
-
2
Turn left onto Barrow Street
1245 ft · 46 sec · Barrow Street
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Avenue
7.4 mi · 14 min · Park Avenue
-
4
Turn left
109 m · 15 sec
-
5
Take the ramp straight
1676 ft · 41 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Raceland-M C Express
82.2 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Raceland-M C Express
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1083 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1888 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
2246 ft · 29 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1189 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1056 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
-
12
Take the exit slight left toward Young Street
771 ft · 21 sec · Young Street
-
13
Continue on Young Street
1807 ft · 38 sec · Young Street
-
14
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
-
15
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
609 ft · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive
-
16
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
-
17
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Morgan Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
1065 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
-
19
Keep slight left
48 m · 8 sec
-
20
Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
-
21
Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi · 10 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
-
22
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway
-
23
Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
1212 ft · 30 sec
-
25
Keep slight left to continue on US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
93.7 mi · 1 hr 59 min
-
26
Turn right onto East California Avenue
51 m · 4 sec · East California Avenue
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East California Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houma 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houma and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ruston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houma to Ruston?
The road trip is about 285.1 miles (458.9 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?
Ville Platte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142 miles from Houma and 143.1 miles from Ruston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 232 miles (373.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.1 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 7:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.10 one way or $76.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houma and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ruston.
Stop Ideas Near Ville Platte
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 Ville Platte.
Lafayette
New Iberia
Lake Charles
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houma and Ruston. Straight-line distance: 231.95 mi (373.28 km).
#1 Houma
Only incorporated city and parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 32,467 |
| Coordinates | 29.5957700, -90.7195300 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $38.10 | $76.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $42.85 | $85.69 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $46.53 | $93.06 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $54.47 | $108.95 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.