How far is Ruston, LA from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to New Orleans, LA is about 296.8 miles (477.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 233.3 miles (375.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 26m 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 43m.
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.
Largest city and the parish seat of Concordia Parish, Louisiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruston and New Orleans.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and New Orleans.
-
1
Start on East California Avenue
51 m · 8 sec · East California Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto South Vienna Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Vienna Street
-
3
Turn right onto South Service Road West
529 ft · 12 sec · South Service Road West
-
4
Take the ramp slight left
834 ft · 20 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
51.7 mi · 57 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
1531 ft · 42 sec
-
7
Turn right
76.2 mi · 1 hr 28 min
-
8
Keep slight right
526 ft · 14 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Seargent Prentiss Drive
79.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Seargent Prentiss Drive
-
10
Take the exit straight toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
2467 ft · 48 sec
-
11
Continue on Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
-
12
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
2897 ft · 36 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
-
14
Merge slight right
74.7 mi · 1 hr 25 min
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
-
16
Keep slight right
2544 ft · 36 sec
-
17
Take the exit slight left toward Poydras Street, Superdome
1368 ft · 37 sec
-
18
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
1555 ft · 41 sec · South Claiborne Avenue
-
19
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
1639 ft · 42 sec · Tulane Avenue
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tulane Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and New Orleans.
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 Cloudy leaving Ruston and Partly Sunny near New Orleans.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to New Orleans?
The road trip is about 296.8 miles (477.7 km) and usually takes 04h 43m 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?
Vidalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.9 miles from Ruston and 147.9 miles from New Orleans.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 233.3 miles (375.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.5 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 7:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.65 one way or $79.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Ruston and Partly Sunny near New Orleans.
Stop Ideas Near Vidalia
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 Vidalia.
Brookhaven
Vicksburg, MS
McComb
Hazlehurst station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruston and New Orleans. Straight-line distance: 233.26 mi (375.39 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 New Orleans
The most populous city in Louisiana and the center of the New Orleans metropolitan area.
| Population | 389,476 |
| Coordinates | 29.9546500, -90.0750700 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tulane Avenue (-90.07507, 29.954633)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 478 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $39.65 | $79.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $44.59 | $89.18 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $48.42 | $96.85 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $56.70 | $113.39 |
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.