Origin
Patterson, LA
Late night in Patterson on Monday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Patterson, LA to Ruston, LA
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
242.7 mi
391 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 32m
★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 53m
3 PM
4h 57m
5 PM
5h 12m
8 PM
4h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Patterson, LA
Juanfran
Ruston, LA
Oleksandr Plakhota
Trip Overview
The drive from Patterson, LA to Ruston, LA covers 242.7 miles and takes about 4h 45m 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 $37.10 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
121.4 miles from Patterson, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 4h 45m highway drive covering 242.7 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 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Railroad Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 242.7 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.1 miles (Railroad Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 50.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Railroad Avenue
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
50.4 mi into trip
|
~55m 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
55.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
148.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m 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
149 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m 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 | 48.6 mi | 52m |
| 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 Patterson, LA and Ruston, LA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
3
Continue on Railroad Avenue
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
4
Take the ramp right
98 ft
·
3 sec
5
Merge slight left
49 mi
·
52 min
6
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
7
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Keep slight right to continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Take the exit slight left toward Young Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Young Street
12
Continue on Young Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Young Street
13
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
St Etienne Road
14
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Fairfield Drive
15
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
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 Southwest Evangeline Thruway
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
18
Keep slight left
157 ft
·
8 sec
19
Turn left onto Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
20
Continue on Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
21
Continue on Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
22
Continue on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
23
Take the exit slight right toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
24
Keep slight left to continue on US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
94 mi
·
1 hr 59 min
·
US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
25
Turn right onto East California Avenue
167 ft
·
4 sec
·
East California Avenue
26
Arrive at your destination
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 121.4 miles from Patterson, LA, or about 2h 18m 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 121.4 miles or 2h 18m 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 50m
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 Patterson, 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 Patterson, LA
This is one driving day of about 242.7 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Patterson, 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 121.4 mi from Patterson, LA · 2h 18m into the drive
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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.4 miles from Patterson, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.10 one way
$74.21 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $40.70 | $81.39 |
| premium | $4.61 | $44.05 | $88.10 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.92 | $107.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.8 | 0 | $25.48 | $11.65 |
| Efficient EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.24 | $9.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.1 | 1 | $33.98 | $15.53 |
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.
Destination
Ruston, LA
Late night in Ruston on Monday
Local time
4:23 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
2 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Patterson, LA to Ruston, LA covers 242.7 miles and takes about 4h 45m 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 121.4 miles from Patterson, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.10 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 242.7 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.1 miles (Railroad Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 50.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Patterson, LA to Ruston, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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