Origin
Auburn, AL
Morning in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
11:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, AL to Riverside, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
149.2 mi
240 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, AL
🇻🇳🇻🇳 Việt Anh Nguyễn 🇻🇳🇻🇳
Trip Overview
The drive from Auburn, AL to Riverside, AL covers 149.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 280, South Broadway Avenue, 5th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.3 miles on US 280. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.53 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.6 miles from Auburn, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 149.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Auburn, AL to Riverside, AL covers 149.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 280 is the longest continuous segment at about 57.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North College Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.2 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North College Street): Navigation decision point; at 95.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 104.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North College Street
At end of road, turn right onto North College Street
Navigation decision point
7
95.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the ramp toward I-20 West: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-20 West: Birmingham
7
104.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 231: Ashville, Pell City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 231: Ashville, Pell City
6
105.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Ashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Ashville
7
138.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
AL 75 / 2nd Avenue East
At end of road, turn right onto AL 75 / 2nd Avenue East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Auburn, AL and Riverside, AL, road signs point toward Pell City and Ashville.
Pell City
104.8 mi in
|
~2h 7m
Ashville
105.1 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 57.3 mi | 1h 8m |
| South Broadway Avenue | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| 5th Avenue | 16.5 mi | 25m |
| Heart of Dixie Highway | 10.4 mi | 14m |
| AL 77 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| I 20 | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| 2nd Avenue East | 7.2 mi | 11m |
| North College Street | 4.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 57.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, AL and Riverside, AL.
1
Start on this road
291 ft
·
24 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto North College Street
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North College Street
3
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
79 ft
·
1 sec
·
North College Street
4
Continue on AL 147
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Street
5
Take the ramp onto AL 147
165 ft
·
3 sec
·
North College Street
6
Continue on US 280; AL 147
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 280; AL 147
7
Continue on US 280; AL 50
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 280; AL 50
8
Continue on US 280; AL 49
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 280; AL 49
9
Continue on US 280; AL 22
24 mi
·
29 min
·
US 280; AL 22
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
11
Turn right
100 ft
·
2 sec
12
Merge onto AL 21
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockford Highway
13
Continue on AL 21
23 mi
·
26 min
·
South Broadway Avenue
14
Turn left onto AL 77
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
AL 77
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I-20 West: Birmingham
Use the left lane.
16
Merge onto I 20
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 231: Ashville, Pell City
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
204 ft
·
5 sec
Toward Ashville
19
Turn straight onto US 231
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Martin Street North
20
Continue on US 231
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Heart of Dixie Highway
21
Enter roundabout onto US 231; US 411
188 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 231; US 411
22
Continue on US 231; US 411
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 231; US 411
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 231
397 ft
·
11 sec
·
6th Avenue
24
Turn right onto 4th Street
281 ft
·
16 sec
·
4th Street
25
Turn left onto US 231
17 mi
·
25 min
·
5th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
At end of road, turn right onto AL 75
7.2 mi
·
11 min
·
2nd Avenue East
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto CR 26
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
CR 26
28
Arrive at destination
CR 26
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.6 miles from Auburn, AL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.3 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 33 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.6 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverside, 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 149.2 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Auburn, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 280 for about 57.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.6 mi from Auburn, AL · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.6 miles from Auburn, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Riverside, AL
The final approach into Riverside, 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 Riverside, 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
$22.53 one way
$45.07 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $24.74 | $49.47 |
| premium | $4.56 | $26.78 | $53.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.94 | $65.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.67 | $7.16 |
| Efficient EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.05 | $5.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.89 | $9.55 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Riverside, AL
Morning in Riverside on Saturday
Local time
11:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Lincoln, AL
75 mi in
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 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 Riverside, AL covers 149.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 280, South Broadway Avenue, 5th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.6 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 $22.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.2 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North College Street): Navigation decision point; at 95.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 104.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Auburn, AL and Riverside, AL, road signs point toward Pell City and Ashville.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Riverside, AL
More trips to Riverside, AL
Explore more options from Auburn, AL or browse trips ending in Riverside, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.