Ruston to Mandeville is 279.8 miles and takes about 5 hours 21 minutes via US 425 and I-20/I-55, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the northern part of the state down towards the Gulf Coast. With 97% of the route on highways, expect a relatively straightforward trip focused on covering ground. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, especially if you're departing from the Ruston area. Plan for a single day of travel to reach your destination comfortably.
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
139.9 miles from Ruston, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 425
74.1 mi
1h 25m
I 20
51.7 mi
56m
I 55
43.2 mi
46m
US 98
43.2 mi
48m
US 84
28.3 mi
32m
West Florida Republic Parkway
24.3 mi
25m
US 61
3.3 mi
3m
US 190
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 425
— 74.1 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~597 veh/hr typical
· worst 922
Quietest
1 AM
~83 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 88 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston, LA and Mandeville, LA.
1
Start on LA 146
167 ft·8 sec·East California Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 80; US 167; LA 146
1.1 mi·2 min·South Vienna Street
3
Turn right onto South Service Road West
0.1 mi·12 sec·South Service Road West
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
5
Merge onto I 20
52 mi·56 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
7
Turn right onto US 425
74 mi·1 hr 25 min·US 425
8
Turn left onto South Canal Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Canal Street
9
Turn right onto State Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·State Street
10
Turn left onto South Martin Luther King Jr Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Martin Luther King Jr Street
11
Turn right onto East Franklin Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East Franklin Street
12
Turn slight left onto Devereaux Drive
1.1 mi·1 min·Devereaux Drive
13
Take the ramp onto Devereaux Drive
0.1 mi·19 sec·Devereaux Drive
14
Merge onto US 61; US 84
3.3 mi·3 min·US 61; US 84
15
Take the exit onto US 84
28 mi·32 min·US 84
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
167 ft·4 sec
18
Turn right onto US 98; MS 184
0.6 mi·43 sec·US 98; MS 184
19
Turn right onto US 98
29 mi·32 min·US 98
20
Take the exit onto US 98
14 mi·14 min·US 98
21
Continue on I 55
43 mi·46 min·I 55
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 29AToward I 12 East: Slidell
23
Merge onto I 12
24 mi·25 min·West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 190: Covington, Mandeville
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward US 190 East: Mandeville
26
Merge onto US 190
1.8 mi·2 min·US 190
27
Take the exit onto US 190
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 190
Toward US 190 East, LA 22 West: Mandeville, PonchatoulaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190
209 ft·7 sec·US 190
Toward US 190 East: Mandeville, Fontainebleau State Park
29
Turn left onto US 190
1.3 mi·2 min·Highway 190
Use the left / straight lanes.
30
Continue on US 190
0.3 mi·28 sec·Emerald Road
31
Continue on US 190
0.4 mi·33 sec·Highway 190
32
Continue on US 190
1.0 mi·1 min·Florida Street
33
Turn right onto LA 1087
0.4 mi·1 min·Girod Street
34
Turn right onto LA 1087
160 ft·4 sec·Monroe Street
35
Arrive at destination
LA 1087
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 21-minute drive, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Mandeville. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with stops, but consider breaking up the drive around the halfway point. Keep an eye on fuel, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is around $40. A practical tip: utilize the app or a map to track your progress on US 425, as it's the longest continuous stretch at 74.1 miles, and ensure you have enough fuel before that segment begins. Rest stops are readily available along the interstate portions.
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 139.9 miles from Ruston, LA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.1 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 62 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.9 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mandeville, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ruston, 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 Ruston, LA
This is one driving day of about 279.8 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Ruston, 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 425 for about 74.1 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.1 and 276.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
53.1 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
5
162.8 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
249.2 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 12 East: Slidell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 29A
Toward I 12 East: Slidell
7
276.1 mi into trip|~5h 15m in|US 190
Take the exit onto US 190 toward US 190 East, LA 22 West: Mandeville, Ponchatoula
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 190 East, LA 22 West: Mandeville, Pon...
6
276.4 mi into trip|~5h 15m in|US 190
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190 toward US 190 East: Mandeville, Fontainebleau State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 190 East: Mandeville, Fontainebleau S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.99 one way
$81.98 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$45.51
$91.01
premium
$4.49
$49.42
$98.83
diesel
$5.60
$61.68
$123.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.9
1
$29.38
$13.43
Efficient EV
70
0
$24.48
$11.19
EV Truck/SUV
111.9
1
$39.17
$17.91
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Aug 13, 2026
Origin
Ruston, LA
Late night
in Ruston on Friday
Local time
4:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 13 at 12:30PM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 13 at 12:11PM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Mandeville, LA
Late night
in Mandeville on Friday
Local time
4:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 13 at 12:30PM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 13 at 12:11PM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 21m 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.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 279.8
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 57.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 97% of the 279.8 miles on major roads like US 425 and I-20/I-55. You'll experience a long stretch of 74.1 miles on US 425 before merging onto the interstates. Expect frequent exits and highway traffic as you approach and travel through more populated areas on I-20 and I-55. The transition from US 425 to the interstate system will be noticeable as the speed and density of traffic change.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.1 mi on US 425.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 425 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 279.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 249.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
436 ft8 ft
Total Climb
594 ft
Total Descent
916 ft
Highest Point
436 ft
~179.9 mi in
Elevation Range
428 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ruston, LA to Mandeville, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 279.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.1 miles on US 425. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Mandeville, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 249.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mandeville, LA before the return drive.
