How far is Ruston, LA from Baton Rouge, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Baton Rouge, LA is about 216.9 miles (349.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 167.2 miles (269.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m 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 03h 30m.
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 Concordia Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruston and Baton Rouge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Baton Rouge.
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1
Start on East California Avenue
51 m · 8 sec · East California Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Vienna Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Vienna Street
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3
Turn right onto South Service Road West
529 ft · 12 sec · South Service Road West
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4
Take the ramp slight left
834 ft · 20 sec
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5
Merge slight left
51.7 mi · 57 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
1531 ft · 42 sec
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7
Turn right
76.2 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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8
Keep slight right
526 ft · 14 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Seargent Prentiss Drive
79.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Seargent Prentiss Drive
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10
Take the exit straight toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
2467 ft · 48 sec
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11
Continue on Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
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12
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
5.4 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight left toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center, Downtown
1124 ft · 30 sec
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14
Turn right onto Government Street
2602 ft · 1 min · Government Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Government Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Baton Rouge.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Seargent Prentiss Drive
Merge slight left onto Seargent Prentiss Drive
79.3 mi · 01h 34m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Ruston and Sunny near Baton Rouge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Baton Rouge?
The road trip is about 216.9 miles (349.1 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Clayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.1 miles from Ruston and 107.7 miles from Baton Rouge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 167.2 miles (269.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.7 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 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.97 one way or $57.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ruston and Sunny near Baton Rouge.
Stop Ideas Near Clayton
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 Clayton.
Vicksburg, MS
Brookhaven
Hazlehurst station
McComb
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruston and Baton Rouge. Straight-line distance: 167.19 mi (269.07 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Baton Rouge
The capital of Louisiana.
| Population | 219,052 |
| Coordinates | 30.4433200, -91.1874700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Saint Louis Street (-91.18751, 30.443332)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 349 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $28.97 | $57.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $32.58 | $65.16 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $35.38 | $70.76 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $41.42 | $82.85 |
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.