How far is Ruston, LA from Lafayette, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Lafayette, LA is about 181.9 miles (292.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163 miles (262.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruston and Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Lafayette.
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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
76 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
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11
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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12
Continue on Northwest Evangeline Thruway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway
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13
Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard
1147 ft · 34 sec · Jefferson Boulevard
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14
Continue on Rue Jefferson
1654 ft · 52 sec · Rue Jefferson
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15
Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest
102 m · 17 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Lafayette.
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
76 mi · 01h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Ruston and Partly Sunny near Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Lafayette?
The road trip is about 181.9 miles (292.8 km) and usually takes 02h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pineville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.9 miles from Ruston and 91.1 miles from Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163 miles (262.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.31 one way or $48.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Ruston and Partly Sunny near Lafayette.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruston and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 162.99 mi (262.3 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 Lafayette
The third most populous city in Acadiana, Louisiana.
| Population | 126,535 |
| Coordinates | 30.2240900, -92.0198400 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Buchanan Street (-92.019794, 30.224075)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 293 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $24.31 | $48.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $27.34 | $54.69 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $29.69 | $59.39 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $34.76 | $69.53 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.