How far is Athens, AL from Saks, AL?

The driving distance from Athens, AL to Saks, AL is about 116.2 miles (187 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100 miles (160.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m 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
116.17 mi
02h 39m
Flight
99.99 mi
160.92 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
99.99 mi
Kilometers
160.92 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
116.17 mi
Kilometers
186.95 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saks
Wed, Sep 23, 4:36 PM CDT
Return by in Athens
Wed, Sep 23, 7:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Athens
2026-09-23T13:56
Arrive Saks
Wed, Sep 23, 4:36 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:10 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
Snead
AL

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

From Athens
58.1 mi
01h 19m
To Saks
58.1 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNE
Destination
88°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    18.8 mi · 22 min · Chastain Boulevard East

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    2131 ft · 33 sec

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    2085 ft · 35 sec

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    2489 ft · 41 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Saks Road

    1.4 km · 1 min · Saks Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto West 44th Street

    86 m · 18 sec · West 44th Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Skyline Drive

    1165 ft · 54 sec · Skyline Drive

  24. 24

    Turn right onto West 42nd Street

    72 m · 10 sec · West 42nd Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 42nd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Point Mallard Drive
54.2 mi · 47%
Chastain Boulevard East
20.1 mi · 17%
I-65 South
17.4 mi · 15%
West Meighan Boulevard
8.97 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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.2 mi
100 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Snead
01h 19m from Athens
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 116.2 miles (187 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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 58.1 miles from Athens and 58.1 miles from Saks.

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

The direct path is about 100 miles (160.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.50 one way or $33.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Athens and Saks. Straight-line distance: 99.99 mi (160.92 km).

Athens

#1 Athens

County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States

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

#2 Saks

Unincorporated community in Alabama

Population10,744
Coordinates33.6987100, -85.8396900
Altitude250
CountryUnited States
Start: Athens (-86.97219, 34.80243)
End: Saks (-85.83969, 33.69871)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 187 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.1 gal
15.52 L · about $16.50
Round trip
$33.01
8.2 gal · 31.04 L
Estimated CO2
36.4 kg one way
Round trip: 72.9 kg / 161 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.03 $16.50 $33.01
Mid-grade $4.49 $18.43 $36.85
Premium $4.90 $20.10 $40.20
Diesel $6.16 $25.25 $50.50

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 Athens and Saks. The current time is 13:56:51.

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.