Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Ruston, LA to Patterson, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
242.4 mi
390 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 32m
★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ruston, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Patterson, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ruston, LA to Patterson, LA is 242.4 miles and takes about 4h 45m via Martin Luther King, Jr Highway and US 90, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, traversing the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, so expect a more local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate run. The relatively short duration and reasonable fuel cost make this a manageable one-day excursion.
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
121.2 miles from Ruston, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King, Jr Highway | 76 mi | 1h 17m |
| US 90 | 54.1 mi | 1h |
| East Lafayette Street | 47.7 mi | 58m |
| Winnfield Highway | 21.7 mi | 27m |
| Quitman Highway | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 10.6 mi | 11m |
| Main Street | 4 mi | 6m |
| South Vienna Street | 2.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
— 76 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruston, LA and Patterson, LA.
1
Start on LA 146
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East California Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 167
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Trenton Street
3
Merge onto US 167
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
South Vienna Street
4
Continue on US 167
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Quitman Highway
5
Continue on US 167; LA 147
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Main Street
6
Continue on US 167
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Hudson Avenue
7
Continue on US 167
22 mi
·
27 min
·
Winnfield Highway
8
Continue on US 84; US 167; LA 34
48 mi
·
58 min
·
East Lafayette Street
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 167
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
10
Merge onto I 49; US 167; US 71 BYP
76 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
11
Continue on I 49; US 167
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
12
Continue on I 49; LA 182
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
13
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
US 90; LA 182
14
Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Morgan Avenue
15
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
16
Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Fairfield Drive
17
Turn left onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
St Etienne Road
18
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Young Street
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
48 mi
·
52 min
·
US 90
25
Take the exit
277 ft
·
7 sec
26
Turn slight right onto Church Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Church Street
27
Continue on Church Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Church Street
28
At end of road, turn right onto LA 182
105 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
LA 182
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 45m estimated drive time, leaving Ruston in the morning allows ample time to reach Patterson before evening. With only one planned stop recommended, you have flexibility in choosing when and where to take a break. Watch for the transition from highway driving to surface roads, as this will likely involve more local traffic and varied speed limits. The $35 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart to ensure you have enough for the 242.4-mile trip.
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 121.2 miles from Ruston, LA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76 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 53 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.2 miles or 2h 27m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Patterson, 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 242.4 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 Martin Luther King, Jr Highway for about 76 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.2 miles from Ruston, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Martin Luther King, Jr Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
I-49 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 93.5 and 242.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
93.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
5
191.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
|
LA 92-1 / Young Street
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street
Navigation decision point
5
192.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
|
US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
192.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
|
US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
242.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m in
|
LA 182 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto LA 182 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.65 one way
$67.30 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $37.65 | $75.30 |
| premium | $4.29 | $40.93 | $81.86 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $45.77 | $91.54 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.2 mi)
$0.15
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
$34
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.7 | 0 | $25.45 | $11.64 |
| Efficient EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.21 | $9.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97 | 1 | $33.94 | $15.51 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Ruston, LA
Late night in Ruston on Sunday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Patterson, LA
Late night in Patterson on Sunday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
95°F
Alexandria, LA
121 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m 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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 58.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 28% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 76 miles on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway before transitioning to US 90 and East Lafayette Street. Be prepared for more frequent stops and lower average speeds as you navigate these local thoroughfares, unlike a typical highway cruise.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76 mi on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 93.5 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 242.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 93.5 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.4 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 192.6 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
331 ft
4 ft
Total Climb
47 ft
Total Descent
370 ft
Highest Point
331 ft
Elevation Range
326 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Ruston, LA
Full guide →Founded 1885
Ruston is the fourth-largest city in Northern Louisiana, with a population of about 23,000 people, and is home to Louisiana Tech University.
Top landmarks
- • 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, Louis...
Arriving in Patterson, LA
Full guide →Founded 1832
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 242.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76 miles on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest 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.
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 Patterson, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 93.5 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.4 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 192.6 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Patterson, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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