How far is Center Point, AL from Athens, AL?
The driving distance from Center Point, AL to Athens, AL is about 273.2 miles (439.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217 miles (349.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 07m 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 05h 33m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Center Point and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center Point and Athens.
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1
Start on the route
3.1 mi · 5 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right
49.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min
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3
Continue on South Main Street
16.2 mi · 18 min · South Main Street
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4
Turn left
1.5 km · 1 min
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5
Continue on South Cedar Avenue
1 mi · 1 min · South Cedar Avenue
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6
Turn left onto East Capitol Street
736 ft · 14 sec · East Capitol Street
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7
Turn right
24.3 mi · 34 min
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8
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
601 ft · 27 sec · 1st Avenue
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9
Turn right onto Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi · 6 min · Tuscaloosa Street
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10
Turn left onto M L King Highway
1.2 mi · 3 min · M L King Highway
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11
Take the ramp right
1148 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left
79 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 65 North: Huntsville
45 m · 4 sec
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14
Continue on I 65 North: Huntsville
1027 ft · 25 sec
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15
Merge slight right
90 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward 72: Athens, Huntsville
1307 ft · 34 sec
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17
Turn left onto US Highway 72 East
2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 72 East
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18
Turn right onto Jefferson Street South
1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Center Point and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 65 North
Merge slight right
90 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Sunny leaving Center Point and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Center Point to Athens?
The road trip is about 273.2 miles (439.7 km) and usually takes 05h 33m 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?
Coaling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.8 miles from Center Point and 136.5 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217 miles (349.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.12 one way or $76.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Center Point and Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Coaling
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 Coaling.
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Birmingham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Center Point and Athens. Straight-line distance: 217.01 mi (349.25 km).
#1 Center Point
City in Clarke County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 15,815 |
| Coordinates | 31.7884900, -88.0300100 |
| Altitude | 81 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 28,643 |
| Coordinates | 34.8024300, -86.9721900 |
| Altitude | 220 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-86.97219, 34.80243)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 440 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $38.12 | $76.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $42.70 | $85.39 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $46.61 | $93.22 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $57.20 | $114.41 |
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