How far is Athens, AL from Fairfield, AL?
The driving distance from Athens, AL to Fairfield, AL is about 274.5 miles (441.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 246.1 miles (396 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 44m 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 05h 22m.
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 Marshall County, Alabama, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athens and Fairfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens and Fairfield.
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1
Start on Jefferson Street South
1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South
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2
Turn left onto US Highway 72 West
1.8 mi · 3 min · US Highway 72 West
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3
Take the exit right toward I-65 South: Birmingham
1118 ft · 27 sec
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4
Merge slight left
84.8 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
2715 ft · 38 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
2666 ft · 38 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
1940 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left
150.2 mi · 2 hr 45 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
1607 ft · 47 sec
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10
Turn left
9.4 mi · 11 min
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11
Continue on Crum Foshee Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Crum Foshee Highway
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12
Turn right onto County Road 82
1722 ft · 58 sec · County Road 82
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 107
62 m · 10 sec · County Road 107
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14
Turn right onto Ealum Mill Road
2.3 mi · 6 min · Ealum Mill Road
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15
Continue on Loango Road
8.5 mi · 21 min · Loango Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Judge Smith Road
1.9 mi · 5 min · Judge Smith Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Judge Smith Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athens and Fairfield.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Montgomery
Merge slight left
150 mi · 02h 45m
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 Athens and Sunny near Fairfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athens to Fairfield?
The road trip is about 274.5 miles (441.7 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?
Union Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.4 miles from Athens and 137.1 miles from Fairfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 246.1 miles (396 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 6:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.27 one way or $76.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Athens and Sunny near Fairfield.
Stop Ideas Near Union Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Union Grove.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Fairfield. Straight-line distance: 246.05 mi (395.98 km).
#1 Athens
County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 28,643 |
| Coordinates | 34.8024300, -86.9721900 |
| Altitude | 220 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fairfield
City in Alabama, United States
| Population | 10,457 |
| Coordinates | 31.2518400, -86.6455200 |
| Altitude | 58 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fairfield (-86.64552, 31.25184)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 442 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $38.27 | $76.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $42.87 | $85.75 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $46.80 | $93.61 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $57.44 | $114.88 |
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