How far is Athens, AL from Scottsboro, AL?

The driving distance from Athens, AL to Scottsboro, AL is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 54 miles (86.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m 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
64.28 mi
01h 26m
Flight
54.02 mi
86.93 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
54.02 mi
Kilometers
86.93 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.28 mi
Kilometers
103.45 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 01h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Scottsboro
Wed, Sep 23, 1:16 PM CDT
Return by in Athens
Wed, Sep 23, 2:43 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Athens
2026-09-23T11:50
Arrive Scottsboro
Wed, Sep 23, 1:16 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:38 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
Mountain Brook
AL

City in southeastern Jefferson County, Alabama

From Athens
32.1 mi
00h 43m
To Scottsboro
32.2 mi
00h 43m

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
86°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 Scottsboro.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Jefferson Street South

    1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto US Highway 72 West

    22.5 mi · 32 min · US Highway 72 West

  3. 3

    Continue on Pratt Avenue Northwest

    1537 ft · 33 sec · Pratt Avenue Northwest

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Washington Street Northwest

    134 m · 15 sec · Washington Street Northwest

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left

    2056 ft · 45 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    37.8 mi · 45 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward 279: Broad Street

    1760 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto South Broad Street

    1.9 mi · 5 min · South Broad Street

  9. 9

    Turn right

    70 m · 17 sec

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
10 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Washington Street Northwest
38.3 mi · 60%
US Highway 72 West
22.5 mi · 35%
South Broad Street
1.92 mi · 3%
Jefferson Street South
0.88 mi · 1%
279
0.33 mi · 1%
Pratt Avenue Northwest
0.29 mi
Longest Stretch

Washington Street Northwest

Merge slight left

37.8 mi · 00h 45m

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
01h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.3 mi
54 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mountain Brook
00h 43m from Athens
Leave By
3:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?

Mountain Brook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.1 miles from Athens and 32.2 miles from Scottsboro.

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

The direct path is about 54 miles (86.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 3:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.14 one way or $18.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.2 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 Scottsboro.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Scottsboro. Straight-line distance: 54.02 mi (86.93 km).

Athens

#1 Athens

County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States

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

#2 Scottsboro

City in Alabama

Population14,372
Coordinates34.6723100, -86.0341500
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: Athens (-86.97219, 34.80243)
End: Scottsboro (-86.03415, 34.67231)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 103 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.27 gal
8.59 L · about $9.14
Round trip
$18.27
4.54 gal · 17.18 L
Estimated CO2
20.2 kg one way
Round trip: 40.3 kg / 89 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.03 $9.14 $18.27
Mid-grade $4.49 $10.20 $20.40
Premium $4.90 $11.13 $22.26
Diesel $6.16 $13.98 $27.96

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 Scottsboro. The current time is 11:50:21.

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.