How far is Athens, AL from Jacksonville, AL?

The driving distance from Athens, AL to Jacksonville, AL is about 114.1 miles (183.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 97.2 miles (156.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m 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
114.08 mi
02h 42m
Flight
97.16 mi
156.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Athens.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
97.16 mi
Kilometers
156.37 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
114.08 mi
Kilometers
183.59 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jacksonville
Thu, Oct 15, 10:23 PM CDT
Return by in Athens
Fri, Oct 16, 1:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Athens
2026-10-15T19:40
Arrive Jacksonville
Thu, Oct 15, 10:23 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Athens
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
Riverside
AL

Town in St.

From Athens
57 mi
01h 21m
To Jacksonville
57 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSW
Destination
90°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Jefferson Street South

    1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto US Highway 72 West

    1.8 mi · 3 min · US Highway 72 West

  3. 3

    Take the exit right toward I-65 South: Birmingham

    1118 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    17.2 mi · 18 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville

    1305 ft · 34 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Drive

    34.7 mi · 48 min · Point Mallard Drive

  7. 7

    Turn right

    1.2 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Turn left

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    19.5 mi · 27 min

  10. 10

    Continue on US 278

    1.6 mi · 2 min · US 278

  11. 11

    Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

    157 m · 8 sec · Thompson Bridge Road

  12. 12

    Continue on US 278

    2.9 mi · 4 min · US 278

  13. 13

    Turn right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest

    2497 ft · 54 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northwest

  16. 16

    Continue on West Meighan Boulevard

    9 mi · 15 min · West Meighan Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on Chastain Boulevard East

    8.8 mi · 11 min · Chastain Boulevard East

  18. 18

    Turn left

    9.6 mi · 17 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Pelham Road North

    1.4 km · 3 min · Pelham Road North

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Public Square West

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Point Mallard Drive
54.2 mi · 48%
I-65 South
17.4 mi · 15%
West Meighan Boulevard
8.97 mi · 8%
Chastain Boulevard East
8.76 mi · 8%
US 278
4.53 mi · 4%
US Highway 72 West
1.82 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Point Mallard Drive

Turn left onto Point Mallard Drive

34.7 mi · 00h 48m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.9 mi
97.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Riverside
01h 21m from Athens
Leave By
1:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Athens and Sunny near Jacksonville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 114.1 miles (183.6 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

Riverside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57 miles from Athens and 57 miles from Jacksonville.

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

The direct path is about 97.2 miles (156.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 1:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.93 one way or $31.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Athens and Sunny near Jacksonville.

Stop Ideas Near Riverside

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Riverside, 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 Riverside.

RAIL

Birmingham

68 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Anniston

77 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Jacksonville. Straight-line distance: 97.16 mi (156.37 km).

Athens

#1 Athens

County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States

Population28,643
Coordinates34.8024300, -86.9721900
Altitude220
CountryUnited States
Jacksonville

#2 Jacksonville

City in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States

Population12,972
Coordinates33.8138200, -85.7613000
Altitude216
CountryUnited States
Start: Athens (-86.97219, 34.80243)
End: Jacksonville (-85.7613, 33.81382)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 184 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.03 gal
15.24 L · about $15.93
Round trip
$31.87
8.06 gal · 30.48 L
Estimated CO2
35.8 kg one way
Round trip: 71.6 kg / 158 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $15.93 $31.87
Mid-grade $4.43 $17.85 $35.70
Premium $4.84 $19.49 $38.97
Diesel $5.93 $23.91 $47.83

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

There is no time difference between Athens and Jacksonville. The current time is 19:40:27.

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.