How far is Auburn, AL from Chelsea, AL?

The driving distance from Auburn, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 157.8 miles (253.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
209.25 mi
04h 12m
Flight
157.75 mi
253.88 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Auburn.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
157.75 mi
Kilometers
253.88 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
209.25 mi
Kilometers
336.76 km
Drive Time
04h 12m

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 04h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Fri, Apr 10, 5:59 PM CDT
Return by in Auburn
Fri, Apr 10, 10:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Auburn
2026-04-10T13:46
Arrive Chelsea
Fri, Apr 10, 5:59 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Auburn
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Cahaba Heights
AL

Neighborhood of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, United States

From Auburn
104.7 mi
02h 06m
To Chelsea
104.6 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph E
Destination
78°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Auburn and Chelsea.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn and Chelsea.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    89 m · 24 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North College Street

    4 mi · 6 min · North College Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North College Street

    24 m · 1 sec · North College Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto North College Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · North College Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left toward North College Street

    50 m · 3 sec · North College Street

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    13.8 mi · 16 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    6.4 mi · 8 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    12.9 mi · 15 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    25.5 mi · 31 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    42.8 mi · 57 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham

    1901 ft · 30 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway

  13. 13

    Continue on Carraway Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Finley Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 19th Street North

    15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North

  16. 16

    Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North

    771 ft · 19 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    77.2 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville

    2761 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    16.3 mi · 18 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward AL 53: Jordan Lane

    1417 ft · 30 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Jordan Lane Southwest

    2054 ft · 46 sec · Jordan Lane Southwest

  23. 23

    Continue on Patton Road Southwest

    1 mi · 2 min · Patton Road Southwest

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Drake Avenue Southwest

    1 mi · 2 min · Drake Avenue Southwest

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Triana Boulevard Southwest

    2730 ft · 1 min · Triana Boulevard Southwest

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Triana Boulevard Southwest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Auburn and Chelsea.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North College Street
106 mi · 51%
I 65 North
77.3 mi · 37%
I 565 East
17.2 mi · 8%
Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 1%
Carraway Boulevard
1.51 mi · 1%
Drake Avenue Southwest
1.02 mi
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight left

77.2 mi · 01h 23m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.5 mi
157.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cahaba Heights
02h 06m from Auburn
Leave By
8:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Auburn and Sunny near Chelsea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Auburn to Chelsea?

The road trip is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?

Cahaba Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.7 miles from Auburn and 104.6 miles from Chelsea.

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

The direct path is about 157.8 miles (253.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.5 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 8:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.36 one way or $52.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Auburn and Sunny near Chelsea.

Stop Ideas Near Cahaba Heights

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

9 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

70 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

83 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

86 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Auburn and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 157.75 mi (253.88 km).

Auburn

#1 Auburn

The most populous city in Lee County, Alabama.

Population68,343
Coordinates32.6098600, -85.4807800
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Chelsea

#2 Chelsea

City in Madison County, Alabama, United States

Population14,608
Coordinates34.6906500, -86.6099900
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Auburn (-85.48078, 32.60986)
End: Chelsea (-86.60999, 34.69065)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 337 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.96 gal
26.34 L · about $26.36
Round trip
$52.72
13.92 gal · 52.68 L
Estimated CO2
61.9 kg one way
Round trip: 123.7 kg / 273 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $26.36 $52.72
Mid-grade $4.26 $29.64 $59.29
Premium $4.63 $32.19 $64.38
Diesel $5.42 $37.69 $75.38

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 · Apr 10, 2026

There is no time difference between Auburn and Chelsea. The current time is 13:46:26.

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.