How far is Opelika, AL from Chelsea, AL?

The driving distance from Opelika, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 95.1 miles (153.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 87 miles (140 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
95.16 mi
01h 59m
Flight
86.99 mi
140 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Opelika.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86.99 mi
Kilometers
140 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
95.16 mi
Kilometers
153.14 km
Drive Time
01h 59m

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 01h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 8:33 PM CDT
Return by in Opelika
Tue, Apr 14, 10:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Opelika
2026-04-14T18:33
Arrive Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 8:33 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Opelika
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Kellyton
AL

Town in Alabama, United States

From Opelika
47.5 mi
00h 59m
To Chelsea
47.6 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
85°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 5:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 9th Street

    25 m · 9 sec · South 9th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Avenue B

    142 m · 24 sec · Avenue B

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South 10th Street

    1793 ft · 51 sec · South 10th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Pepperell Parkway

    1.4 km · 2 min · Pepperell Parkway

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right

    125 m · 11 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Birmingham Highway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Birmingham Highway

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    89.3 mi · 1 hr 49 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Chelsea Road

    1 km · 1 min · Chelsea Road

  10. 10

    Turn left

    100 m · 28 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Allen Drive

    52 m · 8 sec · Allen Drive

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Chelsea Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Birmingham Highway
92.2 mi · 97%
Pepperell Parkway
0.94 mi · 1%
2nd Avenue
0.86 mi · 1%
Chelsea Road
0.65 mi · 1%
South 10th Street
0.34 mi
Avenue B
0.09 mi
Longest Stretch

Birmingham Highway

Continue straight

89.3 mi · 01h 49m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.1 mi
87 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kellyton
00h 59m from Opelika
Leave By
2:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Opelika and Sunny near Chelsea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 95.1 miles (153.1 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?

Kellyton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.5 miles from Opelika and 47.6 miles from Chelsea.

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

The direct path is about 87 miles (140 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 2:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.72 one way or $25.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Kellyton

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

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

RAIL

Anniston

77 mi away
126 West 4th St
BUS

Montgomery, AL

78 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
RAIL

Birmingham

93 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

106 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Opelika and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 86.99 mi (140 km).

Opelika

#1 Opelika

City in Alabama

Population31,135
Coordinates32.6454100, -85.3782800
Altitude246
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Chelsea

Chelsea is a place in Alabama, United States.

Population0
Coordinates33.3401100, -86.6302600
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Start: Opelika (-85.37828, 32.64541)
End: Chelsea (-86.63026, 33.34011)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 153 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.36 gal
12.71 L · about $12.72
Round trip
$25.45
6.72 gal · 25.42 L
Estimated CO2
29.9 kg one way
Round trip: 59.7 kg / 132 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $12.72 $25.45
Mid-grade $4.26 $14.31 $28.62
Premium $4.63 $15.54 $31.08
Diesel $5.42 $18.19 $36.39

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Opelika and Chelsea. The current time is 18:33:41.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.