Franklin to Ruston is 228 miles and takes about 4 hours 32 minutes via US 167, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, traversing the Southeast region from the bayou country to northern woods. It's a manageable, single-day excursion that offers a straightforward path through varied Louisiana landscapes. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
114.1 miles from Franklin, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 167
93.9 mi
1h 59m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76.1 mi
1h 17m
US 90
32.1 mi
34m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.7 mi
3m
South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 167
— 93.9 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, LA and Ruston, LA.
1
Start on Iberia Street
1.3 mi·3 min·Iberia Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto Chatsworth Road
0.4 mi·52 sec·Chatsworth Road
3
Turn left onto LA 3211
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
5
Merge onto US 90
32 mi·34 min·US 90
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·14 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·24 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·28 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·15 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi·13 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi·21 sec·Young Street
12
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi·38 sec·Young Street
13
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi·3 min·St Etienne Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Fairfield Drive
15
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi·2 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
16
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·South Morgan Avenue
17
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi·13 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
18
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft·7 sec
19
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi·2 min·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
20
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi·9 min·Southeast Evangeline Thruway
21
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
22
Continue on I 49; US 167
76 mi·1 hr 17 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
23
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
94 mi·1 hr 59 min·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
25
Turn right onto LA 146
167 ft·4 sec·East California Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
LA 146
Trip Plan
Given the 4.5-hour drive time, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Ruston before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 93.9-mile segment on US 167, as services can be more spread out in rural areas. Plan for your fuel stop before you enter this longer stretch to ensure a smooth drive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 114.1 miles from Franklin, LA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 50 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.1 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ruston, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franklin, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Franklin, LA
This is one driving day of about 228.2 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Franklin, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 167 for about 93.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 134.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|Chatsworth Road
At end of road, turn right onto Chatsworth Road
Navigation decision point
5
35.9 mi into trip|~42m in|US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
41 mi into trip|~52m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
134.3 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pinevill...
6
134.5 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.68 one way
$63.36 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$35.44
$70.89
premium
$4.29
$38.53
$77.07
diesel
$4.80
$43.09
$86.18
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.5
0
$23.96
$10.95
Efficient EV
57.1
0
$19.97
$9.13
EV Truck/SUV
91.3
1
$31.95
$14.60
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Franklin, LA
Late night
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
5:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:11AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Ruston, LA
Late night
in Ruston on Sunday
Local time
5:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:11AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
95°F
Alexandria, LA
114 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 165.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 60% of this 228-mile drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 93.9 miles on US 167. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, transitioning from more developed areas to more rural settings. Expect some stretches with denser exits before opening up to more open road.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.9 mi on US 167.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near Chatsworth Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 228.2 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (Chatsworth Road): Navigation decision point; at 35.9 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 41 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Franklin is a town in Coastal Acadiana that is named after Benjamin Franklin. It was actually settled by a preponderance of British immigrants, who established themselves with elaborate plantations along the Bayou Teche as a new sort of aristocratic society, up until the antebellum era ended, anyway. You can visit some of these restored places for a taste of that lifestyle today.
Top landmarks
•Arlington Plantation House — human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America
•Grevemberg House — historic mansion in Franklin, Louisiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 228.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.9 miles on US 167. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Southeast Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (Chatsworth Road): Navigation decision point; at 35.9 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 41 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Ruston, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
