How far is Thibodaux, LA from Ruston, LA?
The driving distance from Thibodaux, LA to Ruston, LA is about 278.4 miles (448 km), with a travel time of about 04h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.9 miles (349 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Town in Evangeline 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 Thibodaux and Ruston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thibodaux and Ruston.
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1
Start on Saint Mary Street
35 m · 6 sec · Saint Mary Street
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2
Turn right onto Jackson Street
2946 ft · 54 sec · Jackson Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Canal Boulevard
42 m · 2 sec · Canal Boulevard
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Canal Boulevard
1.2 km · 1 min · Canal Boulevard
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5
Continue on Main Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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6
Turn slight right
1150 ft · 32 sec
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7
Turn left
5.9 mi · 10 min
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8
Take the ramp left
1492 ft · 36 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Raceland-M C Express
75 mi · 1 hr 22 min · Raceland-M C Express
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1083 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1888 ft · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
2246 ft · 29 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1189 ft · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
1056 ft · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward Young Street
771 ft · 21 sec · Young Street
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16
Continue on Young Street
1807 ft · 38 sec · Young Street
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17
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
609 ft · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive
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19
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
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20
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Morgan Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
1065 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
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22
Keep slight left
48 m · 8 sec
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23
Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
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24
Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi · 10 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
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25
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway
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26
Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
1212 ft · 30 sec
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28
Keep slight left to continue on US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
93.7 mi · 1 hr 59 min
-
29
Turn right onto East California Avenue
51 m · 4 sec · East California Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East California Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thibodaux 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 167 North
Keep slight left to continue on US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
93.7 mi · 01h 59m
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 Thibodaux and Sunny near Ruston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thibodaux to Ruston?
The road trip is about 278.4 miles (448 km) and usually takes 04h 31m 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?
Ville Platte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.5 miles from Thibodaux and 138.9 miles from Ruston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.9 miles (349 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.5 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 7:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.42 one way or $76.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thibodaux and Sunny near Ruston.
Stop Ideas Near Ville Platte
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 Ville Platte.
Lafayette
New Iberia
Lake Charles
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thibodaux and Ruston. Straight-line distance: 216.85 mi (348.99 km).
#1 Thibodaux
City in and the parish seat of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States
| Population | 14,411 |
| Coordinates | 29.7957600, -90.8228700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 448 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $38.42 | $76.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $42.97 | $85.94 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $46.95 | $93.90 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $57.18 | $114.36 |
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