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Trip from Morgan City, LA to Ruston, LA

Drive Time

4h 52m

Distance

248.7 mi

400 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

19 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 39m ★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Morgan City, LA, LA

Morgan City, LA

Joshuan Barboza

Downtown Ruston, LA, LA

Ruston, LA

Oleksandr Plakhota

Trip Overview

The drive from Morgan City, LA to Ruston, LA covers 248.7 miles and takes about 4h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 167, Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, US 90 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.9 miles on US 167. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.97 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

124.4 miles from Morgan City, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 52m highway drive covering 248.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 167 and Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.9 miles on US 167.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 167 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 167 and Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.7 miles you will encounter 20 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: near the start: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
56.4 mi into trip | ~1h 2m 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
61.5 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
154.8 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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
155.1 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 167 93.9 mi 1h 59m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway 76.1 mi 1h 17m
US 90 55 mi 1h
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 Morgan City, LA and Ruston, LA.

1

Start on LA 182

107 ft · 2 sec · Brashear Avenue
2

Keep slight left at fork

61 ft · 2 sec
3

Turn left onto Federal Avenue

98 ft · 4 sec · Federal Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
5

Merge onto US 90

55 mi · 1 hr · 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

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 124.4 miles from Morgan City, LA, or about 2h 21m 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.4 miles or 2h 21m 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 55m

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 Morgan City, 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 Morgan City, LA

This is one driving day of about 248.7 miles and 4h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Morgan City, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124.4 mi from Morgan City, LA · 2h 21m into the drive

Downtown Jasper, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jasper, TX

124 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

Newton, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Jasper, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.4 miles from Morgan City, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 167 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.9 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.

Cane River Creole National Historical Park

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 188.7
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.97 one way

$75.95 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $41.65 $83.30
premium $4.61 $45.08 $90.17
diesel $5.64 $55.19 $110.37

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

$38

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

19 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Stirling Lafayette - Tesla Supercharger

Lafayette, LA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Holiday Inn Alexandria Downtown - Tesla Supercharger

Alexandria, LA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Eagle Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Ruston, LA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Target T0167 (Alexandria, LA)

Alexandria, LA

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Hub City Ford

Lafayette, LA

RED_E

3 DCFC

Hub City Ford

Lafayette, LA

JULE

3 DCFC

AJ Dohmann Chevrolet

Berwick, LA

RED_E

2 DCFC

STERLING F & L FORD BACK LUBE

Opelousas, LA

ChargePoint Network

2 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 7 EV Connect: 4 Tesla: 3 RED_E: 2 JULE: 1 Electrify America: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.6 0 $26.11 $11.94
Efficient EV 62.2 0 $21.76 $9.95
EV Truck/SUV 99.5 1 $34.82 $15.92

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Morgan City, LA

Late night in Morgan City on Monday

Local time

5:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ruston, LA

Late night in Ruston on Monday

Local time

5:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

66°F

Jasper, TX

124 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

3 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 52m 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 Morgan City, LA to Ruston, LA covers 248.7 miles and takes about 4h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 167, Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, US 90. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.4 miles from Morgan City, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.02 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 248.7 miles you will encounter 20 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: near the start: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Morgan City, LA to Ruston, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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