How far is Pelham, AL from Opelika, AL?
The driving distance from Pelham, AL to Opelika, AL is about 186.8 miles (300.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.8 miles (260.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m 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 22m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pelham and Opelika.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pelham and Opelika.
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1
Start on County Road 42
1191 ft · 52 sec · County Road 42
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2
Turn straight onto Pine Grove Road
1894 ft · 52 sec · Pine Grove Road
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3
Continue on Ward Chapel Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Ward Chapel Road
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4
Continue on County Road 15
1.5 mi · 4 min · County Road 15
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5
Continue on Short Street
2.8 mi · 7 min · Short Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn right
9.9 mi · 13 min
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7
Take the ramp slight right
1878 ft · 51 sec
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8
Merge slight left
75.3 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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9
Turn right onto Broad Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Broad Street
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10
Continue on Edmund Pettus Bridge
34.5 mi · 41 min · Edmund Pettus Bridge
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11
Continue straight
9.9 mi · 13 min
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12
Keep slight left
4 mi · 6 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I-85 North: Atlanta
1836 ft · 39 sec
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14
Merge slight left
60.7 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward AL 51, AL 169: Opelika, Hurtsboro
1002 ft · 24 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on AL 51 North: Opelika
49 m · 5 sec
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17
Turn right onto Marvyn Parkway
159 m · 12 sec · Marvyn Parkway
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18
Continue on Geneva Street
1 km · 1 min · Geneva Street
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19
Continue on South 10th Street
1560 ft · 42 sec · South 10th Street
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20
Turn right onto Avenue B
142 m · 23 sec · Avenue B
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21
Turn right onto South 9th Street
25 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pelham and Opelika.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Short Street
Merge slight left
75.3 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Sunny leaving Pelham and Mostly Sunny near Opelika.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pelham to Opelika?
The road trip is about 186.8 miles (300.6 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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 101.8 miles from Pelham and 84.9 miles from Opelika.
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 25 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 10:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.96 one way or $49.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Pelham and Mostly Sunny near Opelika.
Stop Ideas Near Benton
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 Benton.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pelham and Opelika. Straight-line distance: 161.82 mi (260.42 km).
#1 Pelham
City in Alabama
| Population | 24,231 |
| Coordinates | 32.2795900, -88.1200200 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Opelika
City in Alabama
| Population | 31,135 |
| Coordinates | 32.6454100, -85.3782800 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 9th Street (-85.378252, 32.645431)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $24.96 | $49.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $28.07 | $56.13 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $30.48 | $60.96 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $35.68 | $71.37 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.