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Trip from Saint Martinville, LA to Ruston, LA

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

196.4 mi

316 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

19 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 42m ★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m

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 Saint Martinville, LA, LA

Saint Martinville, LA

TBD Traveller

Downtown Ruston, LA, LA

Ruston, LA

Oleksandr Plakhota

Trip Overview

The drive from Saint Martinville, LA to Ruston, LA covers 196.4 miles and takes about 3h 54m 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, Veterans Memorial Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.9 miles on US 167. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.02 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

98.2 miles from Saint Martinville, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Saint Martinville, LA to Ruston, LA covers 196.4 miles and takes about 3h 54m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Martin Luther King Jr Drive.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Martin Luther King Jr Drive): Navigation decision point; at 7.3 miles (LA 182 / Southwest Frontage Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.1 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Martin Luther King Jr Drive

Turn right onto South Martin Luther King Jr Drive

Navigation decision point

4
7.3 mi into trip | ~13m in | LA 182 / Southwest Frontage Road

At end of road, turn right onto LA 182 / Southwest Frontage Road

Navigation decision point

4
9.1 mi into trip | ~15m in | US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
102.5 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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
102.7 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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
Veterans Memorial Expressway 8.8 mi 9m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway 6 mi 9m
Terrace Highway 5.6 mi 9m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway 2.5 mi 2m
LA 182 1.3 mi 1m
State Route 96 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 167 — 93.9 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Bridge Street

279 ft · 14 sec · West Bridge Street
2

Turn right onto South Martin Luther King Jr Drive

0.1 mi · 19 sec · South Martin Luther King Jr Drive
3

Turn right onto LA 96

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Port Street
4

Continue on LA 96

5.6 mi · 9 min · Terrace Highway
5

Continue on LA 96

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Route 96
6

At end of road, turn right onto LA 182

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Southwest Frontage Road
7

Take the ramp onto LA 182

1.3 mi · 1 min · LA 182
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182

2.5 mi · 2 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
9

Continue on US 90; LA 182

6.0 mi · 9 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
10

Continue on I 49; LA 182

8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway
11

Continue on I 49; US 167

76 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
12

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
13

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
14

Turn right onto LA 146

167 ft · 4 sec · East California Avenue
15

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 98.2 miles from Saint Martinville, LA, or about 1h 50m 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98.2 miles or 1h 50m 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 9m

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 Saint Martinville, 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 Saint Martinville, LA

This is one driving day of about 196.4 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Martinville, 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 98.2 mi from Saint Martinville, LA · 1h 50m into the drive

Downtown Tyler, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tyler, TX

98 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

Jasper, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Tyler, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.2 miles from Saint Martinville, 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 ~64 min detour Free near mile 135.5
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.02 one way

$60.05 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $32.93 $65.86
premium $4.61 $35.65 $71.29
diesel $5.64 $43.63 $87.27

Estimated Tolls: $0.60

Southeast Evangeline Thruway (6 mi) $0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway (2.5 mi) $0.18

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

$30

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 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

STERLING F & L FORD BACK LUBE

Opelousas, LA

ChargePoint Network

2 DCFC

STERLING F & L FORD BACK SOUTH

Opelousas, LA

ChargePoint Network

2 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 8 EV Connect: 4 Tesla: 3 RED_E: 1 JULE: 1 Electrify America: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.9 0 $20.62 $9.43
Efficient EV 49.1 0 $17.19 $7.86
EV Truck/SUV 78.6 0 $27.50 $12.57

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

Saint Martinville, LA

Morning in Saint Martinville on Monday

Local time

7:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ruston, LA

Morning in Ruston on Monday

Local time

7:55 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

3h 54m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Saint Martinville, LA to Ruston, LA covers 196.4 miles and takes about 3h 54m 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, Veterans Memorial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.2 miles from Saint Martinville, LA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.02 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Martin Luther King Jr Drive): Navigation decision point; at 7.3 miles (LA 182 / Southwest Frontage Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.1 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Saint Martinville, LA to Ruston, LA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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