Ruston, LA Road Trips
With 4 routes heading out and 7 heading in, Ruston, LA works well as a modest departure point in the Southeast. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 219-mile quick runs to 272-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Ruston, LA head south, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
11
Longest Drive
302.3 mi
Gretna, LA
Quickest Drive
3h 59m
New Iberia, LA
Plan Around Ruston, LA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Ruston, LA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Ruston, LA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Ruston, LA
Driving from Ruston, LA
Expect an average of 245 miles and about 4h 48m behind the wheel when leaving Ruston, LA. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 272 miles (5h 17m), while the shortest is just 219 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Ruston, LA most often head toward Laplace, LA (271.9 mi, 5h 17m), Morgan City, LA (248.8 mi, 4h 52m), Patterson, LA (242.4 mi, 4h 45m), and Central, LA (218.8 mi, 4h 20m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 245-mile drive from Ruston, LA, expect to burn about 9.6 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 4 mapped routes leaving Ruston, LA and 7 routes heading into Ruston, LA, covering 11 total connections. Distances range from 219 to 272 miles.
The longest mapped route from Ruston, LA covers 272 miles and takes approximately 5h 17m. Shorter options start at just 219 miles.
The average route from Ruston, LA runs about 245 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 48m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Ruston, LA include Laplace, LA, Morgan City, LA, Patterson, LA and Central, LA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Ruston, LA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
22,224
Median Income
$32,765
Median Home Value
$226,700
Median Age
23.8
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Ruston, LA at a Glance
Founded
1885
Elevation
335 ft
Area
0 mi²
Notable People from Ruston, LA
A sampling of people born in Ruston, LA.
Aaron Holiday
1996
American basketball player
Gilbert Gray
1902–1981
American sailor (1902-1981)
Jeff Mangum
1970
neofolk musician from the United States
James Graves
1963
American sport shooter
George Ballas
1925–2011
American entrepreneur and inventor (1925-2011)
Bert Jones
1951
American football player
Kyle Williams
1983
American football player, defensive lineman
Mike Green
1976
American football player (born 1976)
Patrick Ramsey
1979
American football player (born 1979)
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Ruston, LA.
Dixie Center for the Arts
theater and former movie theater in Ruston, Louisiana, United States
Downtown
historic district and central business district in Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States
City data from Wikidata (Q2271328), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Ruston, LA
Ruston is the fourth-largest city in Northern Louisiana, with a population of about 23,000 people, and is home to Louisiana Tech University.
Louisiana Tech Football (Joe Aillet Stadium), 1450 W Alabama Ave, ☏ +1 318-257-3631. (updated Oct 2016) Lincoln Parish Park, 211 Parish Park Rd, ☏ +1 318 251-5156. 8AM - 7PM. Rated as one of the best mountain bike trails in America, Lincoln Parish Park is a treasure for mountain bike lovers and noncyclists, too. The ten-mile trail offers a challenging and exciting course for not only the advanced rider, but beginners alike. Beach with lifeguards offered from Memorial day to Labor Day. Campground: RV (Full hookups include water, sewage, and electricity at each site) - $25.00 (tax included) per night. Primitive Camping (tents only) - $17.00 (tax included) per night. (updated Oct 2016) North Louisiana Military Museum, 201 Memorial Dr. Artillery and military equipment and other displays in homage to the men and women of uniform. +1 318-251-5099 Lincoln Parish Museum, 609 N Vienna St. Regional history, like maybe something on Jack Kerouac's mention of Ruston. +1 318-251-0018 Autrey House Museum, 8297-8201, LA-151, Dubach. Oldest dogtrot house in Lincoln Parish, built in 1848. 1 Eddie G. Robinson Museum, 126 Jones St., Grambling, ☏ +1 318-247-6337, [email protected]. Dedicated to the life and career of the late Grambling State University football coach. Opened in February 2010. (updated Aug 2018)
Squire Creek Country Club Peach Festival Louisiana Tech activities website. (updated Oct 2016) Lincoln Parish Library events. (updated Oct 2016) Lincoln Parish Calendar of Events. (updated Oct 2016) Ruston Farmer's Market, 220 E. Mississippi Ave. Every Saturday. (updated Oct 2016)
1 El Jarrito Mexican Grill, 2017 Farmerville Hwy, ☏ +1 318 255-9600. 10:30AM-10PM. (updated Apr 2015) 2 Roma Italian Bistro, 102 N Monroe St, ☏ +1 318 202-3810. Tu – Su 11AM – 10PM. (updated Oct 2016)
1 Sundown Tavern (Sundown), 111 E. Park Ave, ☏ +1 318 255-8028. M-Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM. The band starts playing at 9PM. (updated Oct 2016) 2 The Revelry (Rabb's), 2647 South Service Road W, ☏ +1 318 255-1008. W-Sa 9PM - 2AM. (updated Oct 2016) 3 Starbucks, 1200 Cooktown Rd, ☏ +1 318 255-9219. 6AM-10PM. (updated Oct 2016) 4 Board and Bottle Cafe and Wine Bar, 130 W Park Ave, ☏ +1 318-202-3870. charcuterie and wine but also coffee concoctions.
1 Hampton Inn, 1315 North Trenton, ☏ +1 318-251-3090. (updated Jan 2022) 2 Super 8, 1101 Cooktown Rd, ☏ +1 318 255-0588. (updated Oct 2016)
Ruston comes on the interstate highway 20 between two bigger cities of North Louisiana. These two cities are eastbound Monroe and westbound Shreveport. Ruston is also located along US Highway 167, a good route for those coming from Alexandria, LA to the south or Little Rock, AR to the north. Monroe Regional Airport (MLU IATA) - the birthplace of Delta Air Lines - is served by Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.
For all emergency services, dial 911. Law enforcement is provided by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff and the Ruston Police Department. The Louisiana State Police generally patrol areas outside of the city limits and often assist on major crimes. For all health concerns, medical assistance can be found at the Northern Louisiana Medical Center. The hospital is located on E Vaughn Ave.
Travel tips adapted from Ruston on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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