How far is Ruston, LA from Ponchatoula, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Ponchatoula, LA is about 253.8 miles (408.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 193.6 miles (311.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 42m 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 51m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruston and Ponchatoula.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Ponchatoula.
-
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
74.1 mi · 1 hr 26 min
-
8
Turn left onto South Canal Street
1.1 km · 2 min · South Canal Street
-
9
Turn right onto State Street
2270 ft · 55 sec · State Street
-
10
Turn left onto South Martin Luther King Jr Street
869 ft · 21 sec · South Martin Luther King Jr Street
-
11
Turn right onto East Franklin Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East Franklin Street
-
12
Turn slight left onto Devereaux Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Devereaux Drive
-
13
Take the ramp straight toward Devereaux Drive
714 ft · 20 sec · Devereaux Drive
-
14
Merge slight right
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right
28.3 mi · 33 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right
1435 ft · 39 sec
-
17
Keep slight left
51 m · 5 sec
-
18
Turn right
3187 ft · 44 sec
-
19
Turn right
28.9 mi · 33 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right
13.6 mi · 15 min
-
21
Continue straight
46.1 mi · 49 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward LA 22: Springfield, Ponchatoula
853 ft · 21 sec
-
23
Keep slight right
738 ft · 22 sec
-
24
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
25
Turn left onto Northwest Railroad Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · Northwest Railroad Avenue
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northwest Railroad Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Ponchatoula.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn right
74.1 mi · 01h 26m
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 Ponchatoula.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Ponchatoula?
The road trip is about 253.8 miles (408.4 km) and usually takes 04h 51m 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 126.9 miles from Ruston and 126.8 miles from Ponchatoula.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 193.6 miles (311.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.2 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 7:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.01 one way or $70.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ruston and Sunny near Ponchatoula.
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 Ponchatoula. Straight-line distance: 193.62 mi (311.6 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 Ponchatoula
City in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 7,545 |
| Coordinates | 30.4388000, -90.4414800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ponchatoula (-90.44148, 30.4388)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 408 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $35.01 | $70.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $39.17 | $78.33 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $42.79 | $85.58 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $52.12 | $104.23 |
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