How far is Pell City, AL from Athens, AL?
The driving distance from Pell City, AL to Athens, AL is about 125.5 miles (202 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 26m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 in Cullman County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pell City and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pell City and Athens.
-
1
Start on Cogswell Avenue
983 ft · 23 sec · Cogswell Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Comer Avenue
1158 ft · 35 sec · Comer Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto Martin Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Martin Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right
1330 ft · 33 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
30.3 mi · 34 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street
1644 ft · 40 sec
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on AL 79 North: Tallapoosa Street North, Tarrant
99 m · 8 sec
-
8
Continue on Tallapoosa Street
1616 ft · 36 sec · Tallapoosa Street
-
9
Continue on Vanderbilt Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Vanderbilt Road
-
10
Turn left onto Cedar Street
1936 ft · 59 sec · Cedar Street
-
11
At the end of the road, turn right onto Erwin Dairy Road
1.5 km · 3 min · Erwin Dairy Road
-
12
Continue on 47th Avenue North
1 km · 2 min · 47th Avenue North
-
13
Turn sharp right onto Decatur Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Decatur Highway
-
14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 65 North: Huntsville
2197 ft · 42 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
84.8 mi · 1 hr 31 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward 72: Athens, Huntsville
1307 ft · 34 sec
-
17
Turn left onto US Highway 72 East
2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 72 East
-
18
Turn right onto Jefferson Street South
1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pell City and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 65 North
Merge slight left
84.8 mi · 01h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Pell City and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pell City to Athens?
The road trip is about 125.5 miles (202 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?
Colony is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.8 miles from Pell City and 62.7 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.52 one way or $35.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Pell City and Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Colony
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
marrion city hall
Hanceville City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Colony.
Birmingham
Anniston
Tuscaloosa
Brent, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pell City and Athens. Straight-line distance: 92.73 mi (149.23 km).
#1 Pell City
City in Alabama
| Population | 14,045 |
| Coordinates | 33.5862100, -86.2860900 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 28,643 |
| Coordinates | 34.8024300, -86.9721900 |
| Altitude | 220 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-86.97219, 34.80243)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 202 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $17.52 | $35.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $19.62 | $39.24 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $21.42 | $42.84 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $26.29 | $52.58 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026