How far is Opelika, AL from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance from Opelika, AL to Huntsville, AL is about 213.5 miles (343.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.9 miles (257.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 01m 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 30m.
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.
Neighborhood of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Opelika and Huntsville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opelika and Huntsville.
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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
103.8 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
1901 ft · 30 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway
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11
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard
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12
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto 19th Street North
15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North
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14
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
771 ft · 19 sec
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15
Merge slight left
77.2 mi · 1 hr 23 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
1665 ft · 41 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
2761 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left
18.9 mi · 20 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
985 ft · 24 sec
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20
Continue on Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
120 m · 10 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Jefferson Street, Downtown
104 m · 8 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North
2688 ft · 1 min · Jefferson Street North
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23
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
1 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Opelika and Huntsville.
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
104 mi · 02h 10m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Opelika and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Huntsville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Opelika to Huntsville?
The road trip is about 213.5 miles (343.6 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Cahaba Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.1 miles from Opelika and 107.4 miles from Huntsville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.9 miles (257.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.6 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 9:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.52 one way or $57.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Opelika and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Huntsville.
Stop Ideas Near Cahaba Heights
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 Cahaba Heights.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Opelika and Huntsville. Straight-line distance: 159.91 mi (257.35 km).
#1 Opelika
City in Alabama
| Population | 31,135 |
| Coordinates | 32.6454100, -85.3782800 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Huntsville
The second most populous city in Alabama.
| Population | 202,964 |
| Coordinates | 34.7304000, -86.5859400 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jefferson Street South (-86.585936, 34.730413)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 344 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $28.52 | $57.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $32.07 | $64.14 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $34.83 | $69.65 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $40.77 | $81.55 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.