How far is Ruston, LA from Donaldsonville, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Donaldsonville, LA is about 246.6 miles (396.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 59m 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 59m.
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 Rapides 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 Ruston and Donaldsonville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Donaldsonville.
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1
Start on East California Avenue
541 ft · 23 sec · East California Avenue
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2
Turn left onto South Trenton Street
1859 ft · 45 sec · South Trenton Street
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3
Merge slight left onto South Vienna Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · South Vienna Street
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4
Continue on Quitman Highway
15.9 mi · 19 min · Quitman Highway
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5
Continue on Main Street
4 mi · 7 min · Main Street
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6
Continue on South Hudson Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · South Hudson Avenue
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7
Continue on Winnfield Highway
21.7 mi · 28 min · Winnfield Highway
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8
Continue on East Lafayette Street
47.7 mi · 59 min · East Lafayette Street
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
1.2 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
64.5 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
2681 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 190 East: Baton Rouge
110 m · 10 sec
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13
Merge slight right
49.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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14
Keep slight right
3.6 mi · 5 min
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15
Turn left onto I 10 East: Baton Rouge
1512 ft · 37 sec
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16
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward LA 1: Port Allen, Plaquemine
1232 ft · 23 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on LA 1 South: Plaquemine
698 ft · 17 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on LA 1 South: Plaquemine
1.1 mi · 1 min
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20
Continue on Highway 1 South
10.4 mi · 16 min · Highway 1 South
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21
Turn slight right onto Eden Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Eden Street
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22
Continue on Highway 1
18.5 mi · 22 min · Highway 1
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23
Continue on West 10th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · West 10th Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 10th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Donaldsonville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
64.5 mi · 01h 05m
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 Ruston and Sunny near Donaldsonville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Donaldsonville?
The road trip is about 246.6 miles (396.8 km) and usually takes 04h 59m 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?
Cheneyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.3 miles from Ruston and 123.2 miles from Donaldsonville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.2 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 7:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.03 one way or $68.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ruston and Sunny near Donaldsonville.
Stop Ideas Near Cheneyville
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 Cheneyville.
Lafayette
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruston and Donaldsonville. Straight-line distance: 193.44 mi (311.31 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 Donaldsonville
City in Louisiana, United States
| Population | 8,638 |
| Coordinates | 30.1011400, -90.9941200 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
End: Donaldsonville (-90.99412, 30.10114)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 397 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $34.03 | $68.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $38.07 | $76.14 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.59 | $83.19 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $50.66 | $101.32 |
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