Origin
Anniston, AL
Afternoon in Anniston on Sunday
Local time
4:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anniston, AL to Opelika, AL
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
93.3 mi
150 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anniston, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Opelika, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Anniston to Opelika, expect a straightforward journey covering 93.3 miles. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will spend the vast majority of your time on US 431, which serves as the primary artery for this southeastern Alabama route. Budget roughly $14 for fuel to complete the trek. Since the entire trip stays within the same region, you won't experience major environmental shifts, allowing for a consistent driving experience from start to finish.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Anniston, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 93 percent of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 431, which accounts for the longest stretch of 85.8 miles. While you start your journey navigating local streets like Quintard Avenue and Greenbrier Dear Road, the experience quickly transitions into a steady highway pace. Expect a functional, direct drive that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads. It is a no-nonsense route designed to get you from point A to point B without unnecessary deviations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 431 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 431 and Greenbrier Dear Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Gurnee Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 93.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Gurnee Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.6 miles (AL 21 / Quintard Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (US 431 / Golden Springs Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Gurnee Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Gurnee Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
AL 21 / Quintard Avenue
Turn right onto AL 21 / Quintard Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 431 / Golden Springs Road
Turn right onto US 431 / Golden Springs Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
5.8 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 431
Take the exit onto US 431 toward I 20 East, US 431 South: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 20 East, US 431 South: Atlanta
7
9.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 431
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431 toward US 431 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 431 South
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 431 | 85.8 mi | 1h 57m |
| Greenbrier Dear Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Quintard Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Leon Smith Parkway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Railroad Avenue | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Samford Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Golden Springs Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West 10th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 431
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anniston, AL and Opelika, AL.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
45 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Gurnee Avenue
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Gurnee Avenue
3
Turn left onto West 10th Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West 10th Street
4
Turn right onto AL 21
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Quintard Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto Greenbrier Dear Road
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Greenbrier Dear Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto US 431
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Golden Springs Road
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on US 431
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Leon Smith Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 431
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 431
Toward I 20 East, US 431 South: Atlanta
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 431
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US 431
Toward US 431 South
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431
27 mi
·
36 min
·
US 431
Toward US 431 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 431
56 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
US 431
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
425 ft
·
11 sec
13
Turn straight onto Samford Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Samford Avenue
14
Turn slight left onto South Railroad Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Railroad Avenue
15
Turn left onto South 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
South 9th Street
16
Arrive at destination
South 9th Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the trip takes just over two hours, you can easily complete it in one go without needing to plan for overnight stops. Keep in mind that with such a long, uninterrupted stretch on US 431, it is wise to ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Anniston to avoid mid-route interruptions. Since there are zero official stops built into this itinerary, pack your own snacks and beverages to stay comfortable behind the wheel. Use the early morning or mid-afternoon to avoid potential congestion on the main highways.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.6 miles from Anniston, AL, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Opelika, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anniston, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anniston, AL
This is one driving day of about 93.3 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anniston, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 431 for about 85.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.6 mi from Anniston, AL · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.6 miles from Anniston, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 431 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.8 miles.
Arriving in Opelika, AL
The final approach into Opelika, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Opelika, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.26 one way
$28.53 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $15.64 | $31.29 |
| premium | $4.61 | $16.93 | $33.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.73 | $41.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28 | 0 | $9.80 | $4.48 |
| Efficient EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Opelika, AL
Afternoon in Opelika on Sunday
Local time
4:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 13m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Anniston, AL to Opelika, AL covers 93.3 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 431, Greenbrier Dear Road, Quintard Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.6 miles from Anniston, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 93.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Gurnee Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.6 miles (AL 21 / Quintard Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (US 431 / Golden Springs Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Anniston, AL to Opelika, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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