How far is Ponchatoula, LA from Ruston, LA?
The driving distance from Ponchatoula, LA to Ruston, LA is about 256.2 miles (412.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 193.6 miles (311.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 33m 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 16m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ponchatoula and Ruston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponchatoula and Ruston.
-
1
Start on Northwest Railroad Avenue
4 m · 5 sec · Northwest Railroad Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto West Pine Street
1.6 km · 1 min · West Pine Street
-
3
Take the ramp straight
2005 ft · 49 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
59.8 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
-
5
Take the exit slight right
29.3 mi · 34 min
-
6
At the end of the road, turn left
1.2 km · 53 sec
-
7
Take the exit left
1612 ft · 46 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
28.2 mi · 33 min
-
9
Keep slight left
6 mi · 7 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right
13.2 mi · 16 min
-
11
Continue on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min · E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
-
12
Turn left
1459 ft · 36 sec
-
13
Merge slight left
50.5 mi · 56 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right
803 ft · 20 sec
-
15
Keep slight left
59 m · 8 sec
-
16
Turn left onto Farmerville Highway
1.1 km · 2 min · Farmerville Highway
-
17
Continue on East Georgia Avenue
2281 ft · 1 min · East Georgia Avenue
-
18
Turn left onto North Farmerville Street
2856 ft · 2 min · North Farmerville Street
-
19
Turn right onto East California Avenue
2145 ft · 54 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 Ponchatoula and Ruston.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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 Ponchatoula and Sunny near Ruston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ponchatoula to Ruston?
The road trip is about 256.2 miles (412.3 km) and usually takes 04h 16m 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 127.6 miles from Ponchatoula and 128.6 miles from Ruston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 193.6 miles (311.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.36 one way or $70.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ponchatoula and 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 Ponchatoula and Ruston. Straight-line distance: 193.62 mi (311.6 km).
#1 Ponchatoula
City in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 7,545 |
| Coordinates | 30.4388000, -90.4414800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| 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: 412 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $35.36 | $70.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $39.56 | $79.12 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $43.22 | $86.44 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $52.64 | $105.28 |
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