Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Ruston, LA to Hammond, LA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 48m

Distance

249.5 mi

401 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 35m ★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
small city and parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States

Ruston, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Hammond, LA, LA

Hammond, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Ruston, LA to Hammond, LA covers 249.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 425, I 20, US 98 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 74.1 miles on US 425. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.68 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

124.7 miles from Ruston, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 249.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 48m highway drive covering 249.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 425 and I 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 74.1 miles on US 425.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 425 is the longest continuous segment at about 74.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 425 and I 20. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 80; US 167; LA 146 / South Vienna Street.

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 249.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 (US 80; US 167; LA 146 / South Vienna Street): Navigation decision point; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.4 miles (US 425): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 80; US 167; LA 146 / South Vienna Street

Turn right onto US 80; US 167; LA 146 / South Vienna Street

Navigation decision point

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
4
53.4 mi into trip | ~1h in | US 425

Turn right onto US 425

Navigation decision point

5
162.8 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

9
246.1 mi into trip | ~4h 41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward LA 3234 East: University Avenue, Southeastern Louisiana University

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward LA 3234 East: University Avenue, Southea...

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 Hammond, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald along the way.

Archibald

53.1 mi in | ~1h

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 425 74.1 mi 1h 25m
I 20 51.7 mi 56m
US 98 43.2 mi 48m
I 55 39.8 mi 42m
US 84 28.3 mi 32m
US 61 3.3 mi 3m
LA 3234 2.3 mi 4m
Devereaux Drive 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 425 — 74.1 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ruston, LA and Hammond, 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

40 mi · 42 min · I 55
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
23

Keep slight left at fork

105 ft · 2 sec
Toward LA 3234 East: University Avenue, Southeastern Louisiana University Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24

Turn left onto LA 3234

2.3 mi · 4 min · LA 3234
25

Turn right onto North Oak Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Oak Street
26

Turn right onto West Charles Street

94 ft · 4 sec · West Charles Street
27

Arrive at destination

West Charles Street

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 124.7 miles from Ruston, LA, or about 2h 23m 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.7 miles or 2h 23m 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 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hammond, 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 249.5 miles and 4h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124.7 mi from Ruston, LA · 2h 23m into the drive

city in Oxfordshire, England

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oxford, MS

125 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

Monroe, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oxford, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.7 miles from Ruston, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 425 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.1 miles.

Arriving in Hammond, LA

The final approach into Hammond, 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 Hammond, 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 ~63 min detour Free near mile 51.6
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.68 one way

$75.36 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $41.36 $82.73
premium $4.56 $44.78 $89.56
diesel $5.61 $55.09 $110.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.9 0 $26.20 $11.98
Efficient EV 62.4 0 $21.83 $9.98
EV Truck/SUV 99.8 1 $34.93 $15.97

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ruston, LA

Afternoon in Ruston on Thursday

Local time

1:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hammond, LA

Afternoon in Hammond on Thursday

Local time

1:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 48m 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 Ruston, LA to Hammond, LA covers 249.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 425, 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 124.7 miles from Ruston, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.68 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 249.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 (US 80; US 167; LA 146 / South Vienna Street): Navigation decision point; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.4 miles (US 425): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Ruston, LA to Hammond, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Poverty Point National Monument.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Hammond, LA

Grambling, LA 256.2 mi · 4h 53m Morehouse Parish, LA 224.6 mi · 4h 32m Ouachita Parish, LA 223 mi · 4h 16m Alexandria, LA 168.6 mi · 3h 13m

More from Ruston, LA

Westwego, LA 297.7 mi · 5h 53m Franklin, LA 228.1 mi · 4h 32m Denham Springs, LA 227.9 mi · 4h 33m Central, LA 218.8 mi · 4h 20m Rayne, LA 195.2 mi · 3h 45m Alexandria, LA 93.9 mi · 2h

More trips to Hammond, LA

Crowley, LA 121.4 mi Morgan City, LA 111.4 mi Donaldsonville, LA 62.8 mi Gretna, LA 60.8 mi Addis, LA 54.8 mi Slidell, LA 47.1 mi
Overnight trips from Ruston, LA Scenic drives in LA

Explore more options from Ruston, LA or browse trips ending in Hammond, LA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.

Explore maps for Ruston, LA or Hammond, LA on MapSof.net.