How far is Ruston, LA from Youngsville, LA?
The driving distance from Ruston, LA to Youngsville, LA is about 190.6 miles (306.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 32m 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 46m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruston and Youngsville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston and Youngsville.
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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
2.2 mi · 4 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway
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13
Continue straight
4.3 mi · 6 min
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14
Turn right onto Southpark Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Southpark Road
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15
Continue on Youngsville Highway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Youngsville Highway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Youngsville Highway
1.4 km · 2 min · Youngsville Highway
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17
Continue on Lafayette Street
2601 ft · 55 sec · Lafayette Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
26 m · 2 sec
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19
Exit the roundabout
42 m · 6 sec
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20
Continue on Lafayette Street
689 ft · 14 sec · Lafayette Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lafayette Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruston and Youngsville.
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 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 Youngsville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruston to Youngsville?
The road trip is about 190.6 miles (306.8 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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 95.5 miles from Ruston and 95.1 miles from Youngsville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 171.7 miles (276.4 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 9:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.33 one way or $52.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ruston and Sunny near Youngsville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruston and Youngsville. Straight-line distance: 171.76 mi (276.42 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 Youngsville
Suburb city of Lafayette, located in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 15,262 |
| Coordinates | 30.0996500, -91.9901200 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Youngsville (-91.99012, 30.09965)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 307 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $26.33 | $52.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $29.45 | $58.90 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $32.18 | $64.35 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $39.19 | $78.38 |
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