How far is Jacksonville, AL from Athens, AL?
The driving distance from Jacksonville, AL to Athens, AL is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 97.2 miles (156.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 43m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
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 Jacksonville and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville and Athens.
-
1
Start on Public Square West
45 m · 3 sec · Public Square West
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2
Turn left onto Public Square East
141 m · 10 sec · Public Square East
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3
Turn slight right onto Pelham Road North
1.3 km · 3 min · Pelham Road North
-
4
Turn left onto Nisbet Street Northwest
9.6 mi · 17 min · Nisbet Street Northwest
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5
Turn right
19.1 mi · 29 min
-
6
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
2438 ft · 51 sec · 4th Street Northwest
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7
Turn slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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8
Turn left onto US 278
2.9 mi · 4 min · US 278
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9
Continue on Thompson Bridge Road
157 m · 8 sec · Thompson Bridge Road
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10
Continue on US 278
1.6 mi · 2 min · US 278
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11
Continue on Thompson Bridge Road
21.8 mi · 31 min · Thompson Bridge Road
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12
Turn right
1.2 km · 1 min
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13
Take the exit slight left
43 m · 8 sec
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14
Turn left
20.5 mi · 28 min
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15
Continue straight
6.9 mi · 9 min
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16
Continue straight
7.1 mi · 10 min
-
17
Take the ramp slight right toward I-65 North: Huntsville, Nashville
2174 ft · 53 sec
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18
Merge slight left
17.2 mi · 18 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward 72: Athens, Huntsville
1307 ft · 34 sec
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20
Turn left onto US Highway 72 East
2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 72 East
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21
Turn right onto Jefferson Street South
1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jacksonville and Athens.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Thompson Bridge Road
Continue on Thompson Bridge Road
21.8 mi · 00h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Jacksonville and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jacksonville to Athens?
The road trip is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
Riverside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.1 miles from Jacksonville and 57.1 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 97.2 miles (156.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 1:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.93 one way or $31.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Jacksonville and Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Riverside
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 Riverside.
Birmingham
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jacksonville and Athens. Straight-line distance: 97.16 mi (156.37 km).
#1 Jacksonville
City in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 12,972 |
| Coordinates | 33.8138200, -85.7613000 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| 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: 184 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $15.93 | $31.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $17.85 | $35.70 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $19.49 | $38.97 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $23.91 | $47.83 |
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