How far is Opelika, AL from Fort Payne, AL?
The driving distance from Opelika, AL to Fort Payne, AL is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 06m 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 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.
City in Talladega County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Opelika and Fort Payne.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opelika and Fort Payne.
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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
59.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right
1053 ft · 29 sec
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10
Turn right
30 m · 3 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Rockford Highway
1.5 km · 1 min · Rockford Highway
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12
Continue on South Broadway Avenue
22.7 mi · 26 min · South Broadway Avenue
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13
Turn left
41.1 mi · 1 hr
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14
Turn left onto I-59 North: Gadsden
2604 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
37.2 mi · 40 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville
1323 ft · 28 sec
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17
Turn right onto Glenn Boulevard Southwest
1.5 km · 2 min · Glenn Boulevard Southwest
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Glenn Boulevard Southwest
756 ft · 22 sec · Glenn Boulevard Southwest
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Gault Avenue South
1 mi · 3 min · Gault Avenue South
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gault Avenue North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Opelika and Fort Payne.
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
59.7 mi · 01h 11m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Opelika and Mostly Sunny near Fort Payne.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Opelika to Fort Payne?
The road trip is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Talladega is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85 miles from Opelika and 84.9 miles from Fort Payne.
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 44 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 9:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.68 one way or $45.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Opelika and Mostly Sunny near Fort Payne.
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 Opelika and Fort Payne. Straight-line distance: 125.83 mi (202.51 km).
#1 Opelika
City in Alabama
| Population | 31,135 |
| Coordinates | 32.6454100, -85.3782800 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Payne
City in Alabama, US
| Population | 14,041 |
| Coordinates | 34.4442500, -85.7196900 |
| Altitude | 275 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Payne (-85.71969, 34.44425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $22.68 | $45.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $25.51 | $51.02 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $27.70 | $55.41 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $32.44 | $64.87 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.