Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
184.4 mi
297 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Winfield, AL
Mark Stebnicki
Auburn, AL to Winfield, AL is 184 miles and takes about 3 hours 47 minutes via US 280 and I 22, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Alabama, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a drive focused on efficient highway travel, making it a straightforward journey. With a single recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
92.2 miles from Auburn, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 184.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the 184 miles on major roads like US 280, US 231, and I 22. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 59 miles on US 280, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. The profile suggests a predominantly fast-paced journey, minimizing time spent on slower local roads. This makes for an efficient trip where you'll spend most of your time covering distance on well-maintained highways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 22. You will hit about 12 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.
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 184.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 106.2 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles (US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto North College Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 22 West: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Auburn, AL to Winfield, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Eldridge along the way.
Eldridge
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 59 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 22 | 55.6 mi | 59m |
| US 231 | 42.8 mi | 57m |
| AL 118 | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| North College Street | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| AL 13 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| I 65 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, AL and Winfield, AL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto North College Street
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
Continue on AL 147
Take the ramp onto AL 147
Continue on US 280; AL 147
Continue on US 280; AL 50
Continue on US 280; AL 49
Continue on US 280; AL 22
Continue on US 231; US 280
Take the exit onto US 280
Merge onto US 31; US 280
Continue on US 31
Turn left onto AL 378
Turn right onto 19th Street North
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Continue on I 22
Take the exit
Turn left onto AL 13
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto AL 118
Arrive at destination
Given the 3 hour 47 minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Auburn allows ample time to reach Winfield before evening. With only one recommended stop and a 184-mile distance, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch of 59 miles on US 280 means you can cover significant ground before needing to refuel or stretch. Plan to fill up your tank before leaving Auburn, as this highway-focused route prioritizes speed, and convenient service areas may be less frequent once you're on I 22.
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.
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 41 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.2 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winfield, AL than in the middle of the route.
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 184.4 miles and 3h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.2 mi from Auburn, AL · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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.
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 92.2 miles from Auburn, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Winfield, 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 Winfield, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.85 one way
$55.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $30.57 | $61.14 |
| premium | $4.56 | $33.10 | $66.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.71 | $81.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
| Efficient EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.82 | $11.80 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Morning in Winfield on Saturday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
79°F
Columbiana, AL
92 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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.
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