How far is Sulphur, LA from Ruston, LA?
The driving distance from Sulphur, LA to Ruston, LA is about 201 miles (323.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m 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 28m.
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 Sulphur and Ruston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sulphur and Ruston.
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1
Start on East Napoleon Street
6 mi · 9 min · East Napoleon Street
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2
Take the ramp straight
17.3 mi · 20 min
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3
Take the exit slight right toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria
2422 ft · 59 sec
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4
Keep slight left
135 m · 12 sec
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5
Continue straight
78.3 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Masonic Circle
1799 ft · 34 sec · Masonic Drive
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7
Exit the rotary onto Masonic Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · Masonic Drive
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8
Continue on Fenner Street
657 ft · 20 sec · Fenner Street
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9
Turn left onto Overton Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Overton Street
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10
Continue on Casson Street
2881 ft · 50 sec · Casson Street
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11
Take the ramp straight
1115 ft · 27 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Pineville Expressway
47.4 mi · 59 min · Pineville Expressway
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13
Continue on West Court Street
21.7 mi · 28 min · West Court Street
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14
Continue on South Hudson Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · South Hudson Avenue
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15
Continue on Old Winnfield Road
4 mi · 7 min · Old Winnfield Road
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16
Continue on Quitman Highway
15.9 mi · 19 min · Quitman Highway
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17
Continue on South Vienna Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · South Vienna Street
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18
Turn right onto East California Avenue
51 m · 4 sec · East California Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East California Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sulphur and Ruston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 165
Continue straight
78.3 mi · 01h 37m
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 Sunny leaving Sulphur and Sunny near Ruston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sulphur to Ruston?
The road trip is about 201 miles (323.5 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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 99.4 miles from Sulphur and 101.7 miles from Ruston.
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 37.1 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 10:04 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 Mostly Sunny around Sulphur and Sunny near Ruston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sulphur and Ruston. Straight-line distance: 163.9 mi (263.77 km).
#1 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 |
#2 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 |
End: East California Avenue (-92.637902, 32.52365)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 324 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 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 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