Road Trips from Ruston, LA
Planning a weekend escape from Ruston? You've got options ranging from quick, under-an-hour hops to longer, half-day drives. The terrain is consistently flat, so no need to worry about mountain passes. Many routes offer access to national parks, including Poverty Point and Cane River Creole, making nature and history accessible. Whether you're after a short drive with a high score or a longer trip with park access, there's a route tailored for you.
Total Routes
11
Shortest
3h
With Parks Nearby
10
Full-day getaway
Weekend trip
10 total in this range
Laplace, LA
5h 17m271.9 mi one way
This longer drive, 271.9 miles and 5.3 hours, stands out with its inclusion of parks like New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Poverty Point National Monument. It's a mostly highway route with a high drive score of 10 and flat terrain.
Central, LA
4h 20m218.8 mi one way
Covering 218.8 miles over 4.3 hours, this route offers a mixed highway and surface road experience with a drive score of 9. It provides access to Poverty Point National Monument, making it a good choice for history buffs.
Morgan City, LA
4h 52m248.8 mi one way
This 248.8-mile, 4.9-hour journey has a drive score of 9 and includes access to Cane River Creole National Historical Park. It's a good longer option if you're interested in historical sites.
Patterson, LA
4h 45m242.4 mi one way
At 242.4 miles and 4.8 hours, this route prioritizes surface roads, offering a different driving experience than the mostly highway options. It also features access to Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
Plaquemine, LA
4h 34m226.1 mi one way
This 226.1-mile, 4.6-hour drive scores a 9 and provides access to Cane River Creole National Historical Park. It's a solid choice for exploring history on a longer excursion.
Browse by Mood
Laplace, LA
5h 17m271.9 mi one way
Central, LA
4h 20m218.8 mi one way
Morgan City, LA
4h 52m248.8 mi one way
Patterson, LA
4h 45m242.4 mi one way
Laplace, LA
5h 17m271.9 mi one way
Central, LA
4h 20m218.8 mi one way
Morgan City, LA
4h 52m248.8 mi one way
Plaquemine, LA
4h 34m226.1 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers pleasant driving conditions across all routes, with accessible parks like Poverty Point National Monument ideal for exploring.
Summer
Summer's heat makes park visits via the longer routes more challenging, but the mostly highway options remain viable for day trips.
Fall
Fall's cooler temperatures are perfect for enjoying the historical parks accessible from routes like those to Morgan City or Plaquemine.
Winter
Winter provides a clear, flat driving experience across all destinations, with park access remaining consistent.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Ruston, LA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.