How far is Athens, AL from Opelika, AL?
The driving distance from Athens, AL to Opelika, AL is about 245.4 miles (394.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.9 miles (281.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 28m 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 44m.
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 Shelby County, Alabama, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athens and Opelika.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens and Opelika.
-
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
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
9
Take the exit slight left toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
1037 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight right
1 mi · 2 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
1261 ft · 31 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 31 South, US 280 East
2557 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
17.7 mi · 25 min
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15
Take the exit straight
89.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min
-
16
Turn left onto Pepperell Parkway
1.5 km · 2 min · Pepperell Parkway
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17
Continue on 2nd Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto North 10th Street
1793 ft · 50 sec · North 10th Street
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19
Turn left onto Avenue B
142 m · 23 sec · Avenue B
-
20
Turn right onto South 9th Street
25 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athens and Opelika.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 280 East
Take the exit straight
89.5 mi · 01h 49m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Athens and Showers And Thunderstorms near Opelika.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athens to Opelika?
The road trip is about 245.4 miles (394.9 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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?
Lake Purdy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.5 miles from Athens and 141.9 miles from Opelika.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.9 miles (281.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.5 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 9:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.80 one way or $65.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Athens and Showers And Thunderstorms near Opelika.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Purdy
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 Lake Purdy.
Birmingham
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Tuscaloosa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Opelika. Straight-line distance: 174.93 mi (281.52 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 Opelika
City in Alabama
| Population | 31,135 |
| Coordinates | 32.6454100, -85.3782800 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 9th Street (-85.378252, 32.645431)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $32.80 | $65.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $36.88 | $73.77 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $40.05 | $80.11 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $46.89 | $93.79 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.