Origin
Carbon Hill, AL
Morning in Carbon Hill on Tuesday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carbon Hill, AL to Auburn, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
164.7 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carbon Hill, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 164.7-mile drive from Carbon Hill, AL to Auburn, AL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 22 minutes on the road, covering 93% of the trip on major highways like US 280 and I 22. With a fuel cost estimated around $25, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. The drive stays within the Southeast region, making it a simple point-to-point excursion. You'll experience a consistent highway feel for the majority of the trip, with just one recommended stop to break up the drive.
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
82.3 miles from Carbon Hill, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 101.8 mi | 2h 7m |
| I 22 | 43.8 mi | 46m |
| North College Street | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| 1st Avenue North | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| I 65 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| I 20 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 1st Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 101.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbon Hill, AL and Auburn, AL.
1
Start on Nauvoo Road
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Nauvoo Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto AL 118
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 1st Avenue
3
Continue on AL 118
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
1st Avenue North
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Birmingham
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 65
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 261B
Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
9
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20; I 59
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
13
Take the exit onto US 280
18 mi
·
24 min
·
US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 280
84 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
US 280
15
Turn right onto AL 147
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Street
Use the right lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
North College Street
17
Continue on AL 147
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North College Street
18
Turn left
291 ft
·
21 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 22-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can leave Carbon Hill anytime, but an early start will give you ample time to reach Auburn and settle in. With only one stop recommended, your flexibility is high. Plan for your fuel needs, as the estimated cost is $25. A key tip for this route is to be aware of the 101.8-mile stretch on US 280; ensure you're comfortable with this continuous segment before setting out, and consider refueling just before this longer section if you prefer more frequent stops.
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 82.3 miles from Carbon Hill, AL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 36 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 40m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carbon Hill, 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 Carbon Hill, AL
This is one driving day of about 164.7 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Carbon Hill, 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 101.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.3 miles from Carbon Hill, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 280 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.8 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 58.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Birmingham
7
49.6 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
8
54.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downt...
8
55.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
7
58.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.87 one way
$49.75 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $27.31 | $54.61 |
| premium | $4.56 | $29.56 | $59.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.36 | $72.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.29 | $7.91 |
| Efficient EV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.41 | $6.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.06 | $10.54 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Auburn, AL
Morning in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Vincent, AL
82 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
19 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 22m 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.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 56.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the mileage spent on main roads including US 280 and I 22. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 101.8 miles on US 280, offering a solid period of consistent driving. The character of the road is largely that of a fast, efficient highway, designed for covering distance. While the specific terrain isn't detailed, the profile suggests a drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B without extensive winding or technical sections, making it predictable behind the wheel.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.8 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 22. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 164.7 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 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carbon Hill, AL and Auburn, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
Gadsden
53.6 mi in
|
~1h
Downtown
54.8 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Zoo Gardens
58.1 mi in
|
~1h 7m
|
via US 280
About the Cities
Arriving in Auburn, AL
Full guide →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.
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 22m. Total distance: 164.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m 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 101.8 miles on US 280. 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 Auburn, 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 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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