Trip from Bogalusa, LA to Ruston, LA

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

261.8 mi

421 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

9 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 7m ★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Bogalusa, LA, LA

Bogalusa, LA

Emilio Sánchez Hernández

Downtown Ruston, LA, LA

Ruston, LA

Oleksandr Plakhota

Trip Overview

The drive from Bogalusa, LA to Ruston, LA covers 261.8 miles and takes about 5h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North, I 20, US 98 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.2 miles on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.02 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

130.9 miles from Bogalusa, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 20m highway drive covering 261.8 miles, with most of the trip on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North and I 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.2 miles on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North is the longest continuous segment at about 63.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North and I 20. You will hit about 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near LA 10 / Sunset Drive.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 261.8 miles you will encounter 23 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 2.1 miles (LA 10 / Sunset Drive): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (MS 48; MS 198 / Beulah Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 63.8 miles (US 51 / West Georgia Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
2.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | LA 10 / Sunset Drive

At end of road, turn left onto LA 10 / Sunset Drive

Navigation decision point

4
41.7 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | MS 48; MS 198 / Beulah Avenue

Turn left onto MS 48; MS 198 / Beulah Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
63.8 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | US 51 / West Georgia Avenue

Turn left onto US 51 / West Georgia Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
65.7 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

5
259.7 mi into trip | ~5h 15m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North 63.2 mi 1h 12m
I 20 50.5 mi 55m
US 98 48.4 mi 56m
US 84 47.3 mi 55m
Sunset Drive 18.7 mi 27m
MS 27 9 mi 13m
State Route 25 8.6 mi 12m
Bene Street 2.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: E. E. Wallace Boulevard North — 63.2 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bogalusa, LA and Ruston, LA.

1

Start on LA 21

112 ft · 4 sec · North Columbia Street
2

Turn right onto LA 10

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Louisiana Avenue
3

Turn slight right onto LA 10

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Carolina Avenue
4

Continue on LA 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · Superior Avenue
5

Turn right onto LA 10

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Rio Grande Street
6

At end of road, turn left onto LA 10

19 mi · 27 min · Sunset Drive
7

Turn right onto LA 25

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
8

Turn left onto LA 25

2.5 mi · 3 min · Bene Street
9

Turn straight onto LA 25

8.6 mi · 12 min · State Route 25
10

Continue on MS 27

9.0 mi · 13 min · MS 27
11

Turn left onto MS 48; MS 198

2.3 mi · 3 min · Beulah Avenue
12

At end of road, turn left onto US 98

18 mi · 22 min · US 98
13

Turn sharp right onto US 51

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Broadway Street
14

Turn left onto US 51

0.3 mi · 31 sec · West Georgia Avenue
15

Continue on US 51

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Jackson Avenue
16

Continue on US 51

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Mississippi Street
17

Continue on US 51

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Northwest Street
18

Turn left onto MS 570

0.5 mi · 1 min · Smithdale Road
19

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
20

Merge onto I 55; US 98

1.8 mi · 1 min · I 55; US 98
21

Take the exit onto US 98

29 mi · 33 min · US 98
22

At end of road, turn left onto US 98; MS 184

0.8 mi · 53 sec · US 98; MS 184
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
24

Merge onto US 84

28 mi · 32 min · US 84
25

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

6.0 mi · 7 min · US 84
26

Take the exit onto US 84

13 mi · 15 min · US 84
27

Continue on US 425; LA 15

63 mi · 1 hr 12 min · E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
28

Turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec
29

Merge onto I 20

51 mi · 55 min · I 20
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
31

Keep slight left at fork

193 ft · 7 sec
32

Turn left onto LA 33

0.7 mi · 1 min · Farmerville Highway
33

Continue on US 80

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Georgia Avenue
34

Turn left onto North Farmerville Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Farmerville Street
35

Turn right onto LA 146

0.4 mi · 54 sec · East California Avenue
36

Arrive at destination

LA 146

Trip Plan

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 130.9 miles from Bogalusa, LA, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 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 80 miles or 1h 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 130.9 miles or 2h 49m 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 26m

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 Bogalusa, 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 Bogalusa, LA

This is one driving day of about 261.8 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bogalusa, 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 E. E. Wallace Boulevard North for about 63.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 130.9 mi from Bogalusa, LA · 2h 49m into the drive

Downtown Maryland, LA, LA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Maryland, LA

131 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

Central, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Maryland, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.9 miles from Bogalusa, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before E. E. Wallace Boulevard North if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.2 miles.

Arriving in Ruston, LA

The final approach into Ruston, LA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Ruston, LA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Poverty Point National Monument

Poverty Point National Monument

National Monument

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...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 207.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.02 one way

$80.04 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $43.90 $87.80
premium $4.61 $47.52 $95.03
diesel $5.64 $58.16 $116.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Southwest Mall - Tesla Supercharger

McComb, MS

Tesla

8 DCFC

TownePlace Suites Monroe - Tesla Supercharger

Monroe, LA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Eagle Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Ruston, LA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Target T1469 (Monroe, LA)

Monroe, LA

Electrify America

6 DCFC

The Town of Franklinton, LA

Franklinton,, LA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

BANNER FORD OF MONROE

Monroe, LA

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 300

West Monroe, LA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Sparks Nissan

Monroe, LA

Non-Networked

1 DCFC

Tesla: 3 CHARGELAB: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 Electrify America: 1 Non-Networked: 1 eVgo Network: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.5 0 $27.49 $12.57
Efficient EV 65.5 0 $22.91 $10.47
EV Truck/SUV 104.7 1 $36.65 $16.76

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Bogalusa, LA

Morning in Bogalusa on Monday

Local time

7:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ruston, LA

Morning in Ruston on Monday

Local time

7:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

23 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 20m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bogalusa, LA to Ruston, LA covers 261.8 miles and takes about 5h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are E. E. Wallace Boulevard North, I 20, US 98. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130.9 miles from Bogalusa, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 261.8 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (LA 10 / Sunset Drive): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (MS 48; MS 198 / Beulah Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 63.8 miles (US 51 / West Georgia Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Bogalusa, LA to Ruston, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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