How far is Ponchatoula, LA from Central, LA?
The driving distance from Ponchatoula, LA to Central, LA is about 44.2 miles (71.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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 48m.
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.
Parish seat of Livingston Parish, Louisiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ponchatoula and Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponchatoula and Central.
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1
Start on Northwest Railroad Avenue
4 m · 5 sec · Northwest Railroad Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Pine Street
1.6 km · 1 min · West Pine Street
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3
Take the ramp straight
2005 ft · 49 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 12 West: Baton Rouge
1052 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto West Florida Republic Parkway
31 mi · 33 min · West Florida Republic Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward O'Neal Lane
1018 ft · 25 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on O'Neal Lane
84 m · 7 sec
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9
Turn right onto O'Neal Lane
1.2 mi · 2 min · O'Neal Lane
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10
Continue on O Neal Lane
2431 ft · 43 sec · O Neal Lane
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11
Continue on Central Throughway
1233 ft · 21 sec · Central Throughway
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12
Continue on Central Thruway
871 ft · 14 sec · Central Thruway
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13
Continue on Central Throughway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Central Throughway
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14
Continue on Sullivan Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · Sullivan Road
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15
Turn right onto Hooper Road
16 m · 1 sec · Hooper Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hooper Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ponchatoula and Central.
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
31 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.
Partly Sunny leaving Ponchatoula and Mostly Sunny near Central.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ponchatoula to Central?
The road trip is about 44.2 miles (71.1 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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 Ponchatoula and 22.1 miles from Central.
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 4:52 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 Partly Sunny around Ponchatoula and Mostly Sunny near Central.
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 Ponchatoula and Central. Straight-line distance: 36.33 mi (58.47 km).
#1 Ponchatoula
City in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 7,545 |
| Coordinates | 30.4388000, -90.4414800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Hooper Road (-91.036767, 30.554344)
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.