How far is Ruston, LA from Central, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Central, LA is about 224.1 miles (360.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.5 miles (266.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 23m 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 41m.
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 Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Central.
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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
71.2 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Seargent Prentiss Drive
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10
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Zachary Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Mount Pleasant Zachary Road
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mount Pleasant Zachary Road
40 m · 2 sec · Mount Pleasant Zachary Road
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Pleasant Zachary Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Mount Pleasant Zachary Road
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13
Continue on Church Street
2 mi · 3 min · Church Street
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14
Turn straight onto High Street
792 ft · 13 sec · High Street
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15
Continue on Main Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · Main Street
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16
Continue on Zachary Deerford Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zachary Deerford Road
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17
Continue on Greenwell Spg Pt Hudson Road
2.7 mi · 4 min · Greenwell Spg Pt Hudson Road
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18
Turn slight right
28 m · 3 sec
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19
Turn right onto Joor Road
4.2 mi · 6 min · Joor Road
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20
Turn left onto Sullivan Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Sullivan Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sullivan Road
22 m · 1 sec · Sullivan Road
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Sullivan Road
2832 ft · 1 min · Sullivan Road
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23
Turn left onto Hooper Road
16 m · 1 sec · Hooper Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hooper Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Central.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn right
76.2 mi · 01h 28m
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 Central.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Central?
The road trip is about 224.1 miles (360.7 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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 109.5 miles from Ruston and 114.7 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.5 miles (266.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.6 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 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.96 one way or $59.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ruston and Sunny near Central.
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 Central. Straight-line distance: 165.51 mi (266.36 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 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: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.96 | $59.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $33.69 | $67.38 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $36.58 | $73.17 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $42.83 | $85.67 |
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.