How far is Ruston, LA from Opelousas, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Opelousas, LA is about 160.2 miles (257.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.3 miles (227.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m 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 07m.
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 village of Alexandria, located in Grant 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 Opelousas.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Opelousas.
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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 right to continue on US 190 West: Opelousas
109 m · 9 sec
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13
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 59 sec
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14
Turn right onto South Union Street
118 m · 12 sec · South Union Street
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15
Turn left onto East Bellevue Street
71 m · 16 sec · East Bellevue Street
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16
Turn left onto South Main Street
48 m · 3 sec · South Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Opelousas.
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 Opelousas.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Opelousas?
The road trip is about 160.2 miles (257.8 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Creola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.2 miles from Ruston and 80 miles from Opelousas.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.3 miles (227.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.10 one way or $44.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ruston and Sunny near Opelousas.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruston and Opelousas. Straight-line distance: 141.32 mi (227.44 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 Opelousas
Parish seat of St.
| Population | 15,562 |
| Coordinates | 30.5335300, -92.0815100 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Opelousas (-92.08151, 30.53353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $22.10 | $44.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $24.72 | $49.45 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.01 | $54.03 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $32.90 | $65.80 |
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