How far is Anniston, AL from Athens, AL?

The driving distance from Anniston, AL to Athens, AL is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 102.3 miles (164.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
119.14 mi
02h 45m
Flight
102.36 mi
164.73 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Anniston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
102.36 mi
Kilometers
164.73 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
119.14 mi
Kilometers
191.73 km
Drive Time
02h 45m

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 02h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Athens
Wed, Sep 23, 4:00 PM CDT
Return by in Anniston
Wed, Sep 23, 6:46 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Anniston
2026-09-23T13:15
Arrive Athens
Wed, Sep 23, 4:00 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Anniston
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Snead
AL

Human settlement in Blount County, Alabama, United States of America

From Anniston
59.6 mi
01h 22m
To Athens
59.5 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Anniston and Athens.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anniston and Athens.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    589 ft · 48 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Gurnee Avenue

    732 ft · 22 sec · Gurnee Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West 14th Street

    150 m · 21 sec · West 14th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Noble Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Noble Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Old Gadsden Highway

    1628 ft · 33 sec · Old Gadsden Highway

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Saks Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Saks Road

  7. 7

    Turn left

    30.5 mi · 43 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest

    2438 ft · 51 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  9. 9

    Turn slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto US 278

    2.9 mi · 4 min · US 278

  11. 11

    Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

    157 m · 8 sec · Thompson Bridge Road

  12. 12

    Continue on US 278

    1.6 mi · 2 min · US 278

  13. 13

    Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

    21.8 mi · 31 min · Thompson Bridge Road

  14. 14

    Turn right

    1.2 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight left

    43 m · 8 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left

    20.5 mi · 28 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    6.9 mi · 9 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    7.1 mi · 10 min

  19. 19

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-65 North: Huntsville, Nashville

    2174 ft · 53 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    17.2 mi · 18 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward 72: Athens, Huntsville

    1307 ft · 34 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto US Highway 72 East

    2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 72 East

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street South

    1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Street South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Anniston and Athens.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Thompson Bridge Road
35.9 mi · 30%
I-65 North
17.6 mi · 15%
US 278
4.54 mi · 4%
Noble Street
2.07 mi · 2%
US Highway 72 East
1.97 mi · 2%
Saks Road
1.4 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

30.5 mi · 00h 43m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.8 mi
102.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Snead
01h 22m from Anniston
Leave By
12:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Anniston and Mostly Sunny near Athens.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Anniston to Athens?

The road trip is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km) and usually takes 02h 45m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Snead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.6 miles from Anniston and 59.5 miles from Athens.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 102.3 miles (164.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.91 one way or $33.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Anniston and Mostly Sunny near Athens.

Stop Ideas Near Snead

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Snead, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Snead.

RAIL

Anniston

74 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Birmingham

77 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Anniston and Athens. Straight-line distance: 102.36 mi (164.73 km).

Anniston

#1 Anniston

County seat of Calhoun County, Alabama, USA

Population21,090
Coordinates33.6598300, -85.8316300
Altitude219
CountryUnited States
Athens

#2 Athens

County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States

Population28,643
Coordinates34.8024300, -86.9721900
Altitude220
CountryUnited States
Start: Anniston (-85.83163, 33.65983)
End: Athens (-86.97219, 34.80243)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 192 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.2 gal
15.91 L · about $16.91
Round trip
$33.81
8.4 gal · 31.82 L
Estimated CO2
37.3 kg one way
Round trip: 74.7 kg / 165 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.03 $16.91 $33.81
Mid-grade $4.49 $18.87 $37.75
Premium $4.90 $20.59 $41.18
Diesel $6.16 $25.87 $51.74

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 · Sep 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Anniston and Athens. The current time is 13:15:02.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.