How far is Ruston, LA from Jennings, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Jennings, LA is about 179.3 miles (288.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.9 miles (255.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m 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 03m.
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.
Suburb city of Alexandria, located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruston and Jennings.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Jennings.
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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
43.1 mi · 52 min · East Lafayette Street
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 165: Monroe, Alexandria
817 ft · 20 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on US 165 South: Alexandria
101 m · 8 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Monroe Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Monroe Highway
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12
Continue on Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
3004 ft · 43 sec · Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
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13
Continue on Macarthur Drive
4.3 mi · 7 min · Macarthur Drive
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Masonic Circle
763 ft · 15 sec · Masonic Drive
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15
Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive
49.3 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Masonic Drive
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16
Turn left onto 6th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · 6th Avenue
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17
Continue on Highway 26
29.7 mi · 52 min · Highway 26
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18
Continue on State Route 26
1781 ft · 36 sec · State Route 26
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19
Continue on Elton Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Elton Road
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20
Turn left onto West Academy Avenue
1708 ft · 49 sec · West Academy Avenue
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21
Turn right onto North Main Street
669 ft · 24 sec · North Main Street
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22
Turn left onto East Plaquemine Street
87 m · 13 sec · East Plaquemine Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Plaquemine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Jennings.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Masonic Drive
Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive
49.3 mi · 01h 01m
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 Areas Of Fog then Sunny near Jennings.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Jennings?
The road trip is about 179.3 miles (288.5 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?
Pineville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.8 miles from Ruston and 89.5 miles from Jennings.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.9 miles (255.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.76 one way or $49.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ruston and Areas Of Fog then Sunny near Jennings.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruston and Jennings. Straight-line distance: 158.97 mi (255.84 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 Jennings
City in Louisiana, USA
| Population | 9,660 |
| Coordinates | 30.2224300, -92.6570800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jennings (-92.65708, 30.22243)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $24.76 | $49.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $27.70 | $55.40 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.26 | $60.53 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $36.86 | $73.72 |
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