Origin
Auburn, AL
Afternoon in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
4:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, AL to Opelika, AL
Drive Time
14m
Distance
7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 13m
★
6 AM
0h 14m
8 AM
0h 17m
10 AM
0h 15m
12 PM
0h 15m
3 PM
0h 15m
5 PM
0h 17m
8 PM
0h 13m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Opelika, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling between Auburn and Opelika is a quick, straightforward journey covering just 7 miles. You can expect to complete this trip in roughly 14 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day outing. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Alabama, you will not experience any drastic shifts in climate or geography. With a fuel budget of only $1, this is an incredibly efficient commute that requires no overnight stops. Whether you are heading over for business or local errands, the convenience of this short route makes it an easy trip to manage.
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
3.5 miles from Auburn, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
This mixed drive transitions through various environments as you navigate between the two cities. You will spend about 40% of your time on highways, with the remainder of the route taking you along local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 2.8-mile segment on Pepperell Parkway. As you move from Auburn to Opelika, you will switch between Pepperell Parkway, Opelika Road, and 2nd Avenue. Expect a steady flow of traffic as you shift from wider highway lanes into more localized thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pepperell Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 2.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Gay Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 14m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Gay Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Opelika Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.5 miles (North 10th Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Gay Street
Turn left onto North Gay Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Opelika Road
Turn right onto Opelika Road
Navigation decision point
4
6.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
North 10th Street
Turn right onto North 10th Street
Navigation decision point
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
Avenue B
Turn left onto Avenue B
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
South 9th Street
Turn right onto South 9th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperell Parkway | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Opelika Road | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| 2nd Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North 10th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Gay Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Avenue B | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 9th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pepperell Parkway
— 2.8 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, AL and Opelika, AL.
1
Start on this road
285 ft
·
24 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North Gay Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Gay Street
3
Turn right onto Opelika Road
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Opelika Road
4
Continue on Pepperell Parkway
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Pepperell Parkway
5
Continue on 2nd Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue
6
Turn right onto North 10th Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North 10th Street
7
Turn left onto Avenue B
464 ft
·
22 sec
·
Avenue B
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto South 9th Street
81 ft
·
3 sec
·
South 9th Street
9
Arrive at destination
South 9th Street
Trip Plan
Because this route is so short, you have total flexibility in your departure timing, though avoiding peak local traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the entire 7-mile distance can be covered in under a quarter of an hour. Keep your fuel costs minimal by planning your fill-up locally, as the $1 estimated expense is quite manageable. Given the short duration, focus on staying alert during the transition between the highway portions and the city streets. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep an eye on your navigation when switching from Pepperell Parkway to the local avenues, as the road types change quickly.
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 3.5 miles from Auburn, AL, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2.8 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 7 miles or 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.5 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11m
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 Auburn, 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 Auburn, AL
This is one driving day of about 7 miles and 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Auburn, 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 Pepperell Parkway for about 2.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.5 mi from Auburn, AL · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.5 miles from Auburn, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$1.07 one way
$2.14 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $1.17 | $2.35 |
| premium | $4.61 | $1.27 | $2.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.56 | $3.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.74 | $0.34 |
| Efficient EV | 1.8 | 0 | $0.61 | $0.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.98 | $0.45 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
14m 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 Auburn, AL to Opelika, AL covers 7 miles and takes about 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pepperell Parkway, Opelika Road, 2nd Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.5 miles from Auburn, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.07 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 straightforward 14m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Gay Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Opelika Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.5 miles (North 10th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Auburn, AL to Opelika, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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