Origin
Auburn, AL
Afternoon in Auburn on Friday
Local time
12:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, AL to Pennsylvania, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
208 mi
335 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Pennsylvania, AL
K6
Trip Overview
Auburn, AL to Pennsylvania, AL is 208 miles and takes about 3h 50m via I 85 and I 65, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Alabama, making it a straightforward drive. With almost the entire route on major highways, you'll experience efficient travel. It's a good option if you need to cover this distance quickly without significant detours. Consider this route for its simplicity and speed, especially if you're looking for a same-day trip.
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
104 miles from Auburn, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 151.3 mi | 2h 42m |
| I 85 | 51.2 mi | 56m |
| North College Street | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| US 43 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 151.3 mi, about 2h 42m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~833 veh/hr typical · worst 1,289
Quietest
1 AM
~118 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 100 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, AL and Pennsylvania, AL.
1
Start on this road
291 ft
·
25 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto North College Street
3.8 mi
·
7 min
·
North College Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-85 South: Montgomery
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 85
51 mi
·
55 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 85
Toward I 65 South: Mobile, Day Street
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I-65 South: Mobile
7
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
this road
Exit 171
Toward I 65 South: Mobile
8
Merge onto I 65; US 82
151 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
I 65; US 82
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
10
Turn right onto US 43
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 43
11
Turn slight right
190 ft
·
8 sec
12
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take full advantage of daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $31, planning is minimal. The long continuous highway stretches mean you can maintain a steady pace. Pay attention to the frequent exits on I 65 as you approach your destination in Pennsylvania, AL.
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 104 miles from Auburn, AL, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.3 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104 miles or 1h 57m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pennsylvania, 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 208 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 I 65 for about 151.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104 miles from Auburn, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 55.4 — 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
|
North College Street
At end of road, turn left onto North College Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I-85 South: Montgomery
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I-85 South: Montgomery
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
55.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 toward I 65 South: Mobile, Day Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 South: Mobile, Day Street
6
55.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-65 South: Mobile
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-65 South: Mobile
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.47 one way
$60.94 round trip
$3.72/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $33.83 | $67.66 |
| premium | $4.49 | $36.74 | $73.47 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $45.85 | $91.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.84 | $9.98 |
| Efficient EV | 52 | 0 | $18.20 | $8.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.2 | 1 | $29.12 | $13.31 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Pennsylvania, AL
Afternoon in Pennsylvania on Friday
Local time
12:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Fleta, AL
104 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
2 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
3h 50m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 98% of this 208-mile trip. The bulk of your driving, a stretch of 151.3 miles, will be on I 65. You'll begin on North College Street before merging onto the interstate system. Expect a high concentration of exits and merges throughout the majority of your drive due to the extensive highway profile.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.3 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 85. You will hit about 8 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
6/10
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 208 miles you will encounter 8 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): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
701 ft
21 ft
Total Climb
432 ft
Total Descent
1,112 ft
Highest Point
701 ft
Elevation Range
680 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Auburn, AL
Full guide →Founded 1836
Auburn is in the River Heritage region of Alabama, and home to Auburn University in downtown Auburn. During the university's home football games, the town fills up with thousands of alumni and college football fans for a weekend of tailgating.
Top landmarks
- • Auburn University Historic District — historic district in Auburn, Alabama
- • Auburn City Hall — city hall
- • Old Main and Church Street Historic District
Arriving in Pennsylvania, AL
Full guide →“Keystone State” · Founded 1787
Pennsylvania is a state in the eastern United States. It is known for its Revolutionary War-era historical sites like Valley Forge, its large cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, its farming regions (some occupied by the Amish), and a (once)-strong industrial history. With equally large swaths of cities and towns as fields and mountains, Pennsylvania is a rich and varied state, as well as a worthy travel destination.
Top landmarks
- • Susquehanna River — river in the northeastern United States
- • Appalachian Trail — 2,198.4-mile (3,538 km) trail going through fourteen US states managed by the Na...
- • SS United States — American ocean liner
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 208 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.3 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Pennsylvania, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. 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 (North College Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Pennsylvania, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. 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 Pennsylvania, AL
More trips to Pennsylvania, AL
Explore more options from Auburn, AL or browse trips ending in Pennsylvania, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.