How far is Fort Payne, AL from Opelika, AL?
The driving distance from Fort Payne, AL to Opelika, AL is about 157.3 miles (253.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m 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 01m.
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 Talladega County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Payne and Opelika.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Payne and Opelika.
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1
Start on Gault Avenue North
1 mi · 3 min · Gault Avenue North
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2
Turn right onto Glenn Boulevard Southwest
1.2 mi · 2 min · Glenn Boulevard Southwest
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3
Take the ramp left
1413 ft · 34 sec
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4
Merge slight left
37.1 mi · 40 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
1432 ft · 49 sec
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6
Turn right onto Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
2742 ft · 1 min · Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
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7
Continue on West Grand Avenue
40.9 mi · 1 hr · West Grand Avenue
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8
Turn right onto Western Bypass
22.7 mi · 26 min · Western Bypass
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9
Continue on Rockford Highway
1 mi · 1 min · Rockford Highway
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10
Turn left
1244 ft · 34 sec
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11
Merge slight left
62.6 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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12
Turn left onto Pepperell Parkway
1.5 km · 2 min · Pepperell Parkway
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13
Continue on 2nd Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue
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14
Turn right onto North 10th Street
1793 ft · 50 sec · North 10th Street
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15
Turn left onto Avenue B
142 m · 23 sec · Avenue B
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16
Turn right onto South 9th Street
25 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Payne and Opelika.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Rockford Highway
Merge slight left
62.6 mi · 01h 15m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fort Payne and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance 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 Fort Payne to Opelika?
The road trip is about 157.3 miles (253.1 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Talladega is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.1 miles from Fort Payne and 72.2 miles from Opelika.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 10:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.02 one way or $42.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fort Payne and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Opelika.
Stop Ideas Near Talladega
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Pell City Recreation Hall
Lincoln City Hall
City of Lincoln Water Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Talladega.
Anniston
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Payne and Opelika. Straight-line distance: 125.83 mi (202.51 km).
#1 Fort Payne
City in Alabama, US
| Population | 14,041 |
| Coordinates | 34.4442500, -85.7196900 |
| Altitude | 275 |
| 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: 253 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $21.02 | $42.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $23.64 | $47.27 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $25.67 | $51.34 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $30.05 | $60.11 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.