How far is Alexander City, AL from Athens, AL?
The driving distance from Alexander City, AL to Athens, AL is about 165.3 miles (266.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.1 miles (227 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexander City and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexander City and Athens.
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1
Start on Court Square
89 m · 15 sec · Court Square
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
75 m · 7 sec · Main Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
48 m · 3 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
21 m · 1 sec
-
5
Continue on Lee Street
828 ft · 19 sec · Lee Street
-
6
Turn right onto Broad Street
28 m · 10 sec · Broad Street
-
7
Turn left onto Washington Street
2811 ft · 51 sec · Washington Street
-
8
Turn left
74 m · 4 sec
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9
Turn right onto Lee Street
2913 ft · 54 sec · Lee Street
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10
Turn right
66.7 mi · 1 hr 25 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
1901 ft · 30 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway
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13
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard
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14
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard
-
15
Turn right onto 19th Street North
15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North
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16
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
771 ft · 19 sec
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17
Merge slight left
88.5 mi · 1 hr 36 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward 72: Athens, Huntsville
1307 ft · 34 sec
-
19
Turn left onto US Highway 72 East
2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 72 East
-
20
Turn right onto Jefferson Street South
1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexander City and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 65 North
Merge slight left
88.5 mi · 01h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Alexander City and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexander City to Athens?
The road trip is about 165.3 miles (266.1 km) and usually takes 03h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gardendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.8 miles from Alexander City and 82.6 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.1 miles (227 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.05 one way or $46.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alexander City and Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Gardendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Adamsville City Hall
Trussville City Hall
Mountain Brook Municipal Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gardendale.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexander City and Athens. Straight-line distance: 141.06 mi (227.02 km).
#1 Alexander City
City in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, USA
| Population | 14,142 |
| Coordinates | 32.9440100, -85.9538500 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 28,643 |
| Coordinates | 34.8024300, -86.9721900 |
| Altitude | 220 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-86.97219, 34.80243)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $23.05 | $46.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.82 | $51.64 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $28.19 | $56.38 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $34.60 | $69.19 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Alabama · Oct 15, 2026