How far is Ruston, LA from Sulphur, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Sulphur, LA is about 200.8 miles (323.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 54m 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 27m.
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.
The capital of Louisiana.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruston and Sulphur.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Sulphur.
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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
78 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Masonic Drive
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16
Take the exit right
2324 ft · 57 sec
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17
Merge slight left
17.4 mi · 20 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 90 West
1377 ft · 34 sec
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19
Keep slight right
5.9 mi · 9 min
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Napoleon Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Sulphur.
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
78 mi · 01h 36m
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 Mostly Sunny near Sulphur.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Sulphur?
The road trip is about 200.8 miles (323.1 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?
Alexandria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.5 miles from Ruston and 101.2 miles from Sulphur.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 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 10:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.74 one way or $55.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ruston and Mostly Sunny near Sulphur.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruston and Sulphur. Straight-line distance: 163.9 mi (263.77 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 Sulphur
Suburb city of Lake Charles, located in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 20,120 |
| Coordinates | 30.2365900, -93.3773800 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Napoleon Street (-93.377405, 30.236609)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 323 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $27.74 | $55.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $31.03 | $62.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.90 | $67.79 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $41.29 | $82.57 |
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