How far is Orleans Parish, LA from Ruston, LA?
The driving distance from Orleans Parish, LA to Ruston, LA is about 307.1 miles (494.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 233.1 miles (375.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 42m 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 51m.
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.
Largest city and the parish seat of Concordia Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Orleans Parish and Ruston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orleans Parish and Ruston.
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1
Start on the route
19.7 mi · 21 min
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2
Keep slight left
1802 ft · 22 sec
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3
Take the exit slight left toward I 12 West: Hammond
1.1 km · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left onto West Florida Republic Parkway
46.8 mi · 50 min · West Florida Republic Parkway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Jackson
2308 ft · 56 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
56.4 mi · 1 hr · Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right
29.3 mi · 34 min
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8
At the end of the road, turn left
1.2 km · 53 sec
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9
Take the exit left
1612 ft · 46 sec
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10
Merge slight left
28.2 mi · 33 min
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11
Keep slight left
6 mi · 7 min
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12
Take the exit slight right
13.2 mi · 16 min
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13
Continue on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min · E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
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14
Turn left
1459 ft · 36 sec
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15
Merge slight left
50.5 mi · 56 min
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16
Take the exit slight right
803 ft · 20 sec
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17
Keep slight left
59 m · 8 sec
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18
Turn left onto Farmerville Highway
1.1 km · 2 min · Farmerville Highway
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19
Continue on East Georgia Avenue
2281 ft · 1 min · East Georgia Avenue
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20
Turn left onto North Farmerville Street
2856 ft · 2 min · North Farmerville Street
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21
Turn right onto East California Avenue
2145 ft · 54 sec · East California Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East California Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Orleans Parish and Ruston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
Continue on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi · 01h 13m
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 Orleans Parish and Partly Sunny near Ruston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Orleans Parish to Ruston?
The road trip is about 307.1 miles (494.2 km) and usually takes 04h 51m 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?
Vidalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 159.3 miles from Orleans Parish and 147.8 miles from Ruston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 233.1 miles (375.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 74 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 7:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.32 one way or $84.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Orleans Parish and Partly Sunny near Ruston.
Stop Ideas Near Vidalia
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 Vidalia.
Brookhaven
Vicksburg, MS
McComb
Hazlehurst station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Orleans Parish and Ruston. Straight-line distance: 233.13 mi (375.18 km).
#1 Orleans Parish
New Orleans consolidated city-parish in Louisiana, United States
| Population | 389,476 |
| Coordinates | 30.0686400, -89.9281300 |
| Altitude | -1 |
| 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: 494 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.90 | $42.32 | $84.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.37 | $47.35 | $94.70 |
| Premium | $4.77 | $51.71 | $103.41 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $63.13 | $126.26 |
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 16, 2026