How far is Opelika, AL from Bessemer, AL?
The driving distance from Opelika, AL to Bessemer, AL is about 123.7 miles (199 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m 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 38m.
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.
City in Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Opelika and Bessemer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opelika and Bessemer.
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1
Start on South 9th Street
25 m · 9 sec · South 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto Avenue B
142 m · 24 sec · Avenue B
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3
Turn right onto South 10th Street
1793 ft · 51 sec · South 10th Street
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4
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue
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5
Continue on Pepperell Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Pepperell Parkway
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6
Take the ramp slight right
125 m · 11 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Birmingham Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Birmingham Highway
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8
Continue straight
99.4 mi · 2 hr 3 min
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9
Turn left onto I 459 South
2459 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto John M. Harbert III Freeway
12.9 mi · 14 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Helena, Bessemer
1304 ft · 32 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Helena, Bessemer
103 m · 8 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Morgan Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Morgan Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Bessemer Road
2838 ft · 1 min · Bessemer Road
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15
Continue on 14th Street South
1.1 mi · 2 min · 14th Street South
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16
Turn right onto 4th Avenue North
1921 ft · 55 sec · 4th Avenue North
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17
Turn right onto 18th Street North
115 m · 16 sec · 18th Street North
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18
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
29 m · 4 sec · 3rd Avenue North
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Avenue North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Opelika and Bessemer.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Birmingham Highway
Continue straight
99.4 mi · 02h 03m
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 Opelika and Sunny near Bessemer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Opelika to Bessemer?
The road trip is about 123.7 miles (199 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Sylacauga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.8 miles from Opelika and 61.8 miles from Bessemer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.51 one way or $33.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Opelika and Sunny near Bessemer.
Stop Ideas Near Sylacauga
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 Sylacauga.
Birmingham
Anniston
Brent, AL
Montgomery, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Opelika and Bessemer. Straight-line distance: 105.2 mi (169.31 km).
#1 Opelika
City in Alabama
| Population | 31,135 |
| Coordinates | 32.6454100, -85.3782800 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bessemer
City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 26,043 |
| Coordinates | 33.4017800, -86.9544400 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bessemer (-86.95444, 33.40178)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $16.51 | $33.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $18.57 | $37.14 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $20.17 | $40.33 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $23.61 | $47.22 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.