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.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Anniston, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
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
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: AtlantaUse the left lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 431
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 431
Toward US 431 SouthUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431
27 mi·36 min·US 431
Toward US 431 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 431
56 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
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 21 miles or 31m 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 21 miles from Anniston, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 9.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
6
9.3 mi into trip|~15m in|US 431
Take the exit onto US 431 toward US 431 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 431 South
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.09 one way
$28.18 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.47
$30.94
premium
$4.56
$16.75
$33.49
diesel
$5.61
$20.60
$41.20
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Anniston, AL
Morning
in Anniston on Tuesday
Local time
10:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Opelika, AL
Morning
in Opelika on Tuesday
Local time
10:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Roanoke, AL
47 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
16 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
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
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.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.8 mi on US 431.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
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 4.5 miles (US 431 / Golden Springs Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles (US 431): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Anniston is a town of 22,000 people (2018) on the slope of the Blue Mountain in Alabama. It has several historic sites from the civil rights campaign of the 1960s.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 93.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.8 miles on US 431. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Opelika, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Gurnee Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.5 miles (US 431 / Golden Springs Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles (US 431): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Opelika, AL before heading back.
