Origin
Montgomery, AL
Morning in Montgomery on Saturday
Local time
8:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montgomery, AL to Auburn, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
54.3 mi
87 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Montgomery, AL to Auburn, AL is 54.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 3 minutes via I-85, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within the Southeast region, specifically Alabama, making it a straightforward local trip. It's a quick drive, primarily on the interstate, perfect for a day trip or an easy transition between these two cities. You'll find the road character is largely highway-focused, so expect consistent speeds and minimal traffic delays. This route offers a practical connection rather than an extensive scenic tour.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 54.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 92% of the drive utilizing major highways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-85, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.7 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience with high speeds and efficient travel for most of the journey. The transition from South Union Street in Montgomery to South College Street in Auburn will feel like a seamless continuation of interstate travel rather than a significant change in road type. This makes for a predictable and quick trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and South College Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 3m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I-85 North: Atlanta
Navigation decision point
Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
49.9 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward US 29: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 29: Auburn
8
50.1 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AL 147 North: Auburn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AL 147 North: Auburn
5
50.2 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
US 29 / South College Street
Turn left onto US 29 / South College Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 49.7 mi | 54m |
| South College Street | 4.1 mi | 8m |
| South Union Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 49.7 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery, AL and Auburn, AL.
1
Start on South Union Street
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Union Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
3
Merge onto I 85
50 mi
·
54 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 29: Auburn
5
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft
·
11 sec
Toward AL 147 North: Auburn
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto US 29
4.1 mi
·
8 min
·
South College Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right
291 ft
·
21 sec
8
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.1 mi from Montgomery, AL · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.1 miles from Montgomery, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Auburn, AL
The final approach into Auburn, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.20 one way
$16.40 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $9.00 | $18.00 |
| premium | $4.56 | $9.75 | $19.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 19 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.70 | $2.61 |
| Efficient EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.75 | $2.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.60 | $3.48 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Auburn, AL
Morning in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
8:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
18 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
1h 3m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Montgomery, AL to Auburn, AL covers 54.3 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, South College Street, South Union Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.1 miles from Montgomery, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.20 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 1h 3m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Montgomery, AL to Auburn, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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.
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