How far is Opelika, AL from Pelham, AL?

The driving distance from Opelika, AL to Pelham, AL is about 203.6 miles (327.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.8 miles (260.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
203.54 mi
04h 11m
Flight
161.82 mi
260.42 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Opelika.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
161.82 mi
Kilometers
260.42 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
203.54 mi
Kilometers
327.57 km
Drive Time
04h 11m

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 04h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pelham
Wed, May 13, 12:20 AM CDT
Return by in Opelika
Wed, May 13, 4:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Opelika
2026-05-12T20:09
Arrive Pelham
Wed, May 13, 12:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:11 AM to 12:11 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Opelika
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Benton
AL

Town of the United States

From Opelika
101.7 mi
02h 05m
To Pelham
101.9 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 9th Street

    115 m · 19 sec · South 9th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Avenue C

    141 m · 25 sec · Avenue C

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 10th Street

    1097 ft · 29 sec · South 10th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Geneva Street

    1 km · 2 min · Geneva Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1094 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    60.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Mobile, Day Street

    922 ft · 16 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I-65 South: Mobile

    1236 ft · 21 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on I 65 South: Mobile

    603 ft · 15 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    3.6 mi · 5 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Selma

    46.3 mi · 57 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    29.1 mi · 37 min · Highland Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto United States Highway 80

    46.2 mi · 54 min · United States Highway 80

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left

    2122 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left

    9.9 mi · 14 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Short Street

    2.8 mi · 7 min · Short Street

  17. 17

    Continue on County Road 15

    1.4 mi · 3 min · County Road 15

  18. 18

    Continue on Ward Chapel Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Ward Chapel Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Pine Grove Road

    1894 ft · 52 sec · Pine Grove Road

  20. 20

    Turn slight left onto County Road 42

    1191 ft · 52 sec · County Road 42

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road 42

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Geneva Street
61.5 mi · 30%
United States Highway 80
46.6 mi · 23%
Selma
46.3 mi · 23%
Highland Avenue
29.1 mi · 14%
I 65 South
3.89 mi · 2%
Short Street
2.78 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Geneva Street

Merge slight left

60.6 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.8 mi
161.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Benton
02h 05m from Opelika
Leave By
8:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Opelika and Sunny near Pelham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 203.6 miles (327.6 km) and usually takes 04h 11m 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?

Benton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.7 miles from Opelika and 101.9 miles from Pelham.

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

The direct path is about 161.8 miles (260.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.8 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 8:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.19 one way or $54.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Opelika and Sunny near Pelham.

Stop Ideas Near Benton

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

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

BUS

Selma, AL

22 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Montgomery, AL

46 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
BUS

Camden, AL

56 mi away
8 Claiborne Street \r\n8 Claiborne Street \r\n
BUS

Marion, AL

59 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Opelika and Pelham. Straight-line distance: 161.82 mi (260.42 km).

Opelika

#1 Opelika

City in Alabama

Population31,135
Coordinates32.6454100, -85.3782800
Altitude246
CountryUnited States
Pelham

#2 Pelham

City in Alabama

Population24,231
Coordinates32.2795900, -88.1200200
Altitude33
CountryUnited States
Start: Opelika (-85.37828, 32.64541)
End: Pelham (-88.12002, 32.27959)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 328 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.18 gal
27.19 L · about $27.19
Round trip
$54.38
14.36 gal · 54.38 L
Estimated CO2
63.8 kg one way
Round trip: 127.6 kg / 281 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $27.19 $54.38
Mid-grade $4.26 $30.58 $61.16
Premium $4.63 $33.21 $66.41
Diesel $5.42 $38.88 $77.76

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Opelika and Pelham. The current time is 20:09:04.

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.