Origin
Collinsville, AL
Late night in Collinsville on Sunday
Local time
4:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Collinsville, AL to Auburn, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
153 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Collinsville, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 153-mile drive from Collinsville, AL to Auburn, AL, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes. The route primarily utilizes US 280 and I-59, with a significant portion on US 280. With a highway share of 54%, expect a mixed driving experience. Budget around $23 for fuel, and plan for just one stop along the way. Given its relatively short duration, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both locations are situated within Alabama's Southeast region.
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
76.5 miles from Collinsville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 57.3 mi | 1h 8m |
| West Grand Avenue | 40.9 mi | 59m |
| I 59 | 23.7 mi | 25m |
| Western Bypass | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| North College Street | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| AL 68 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Rockford Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 57.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collinsville, AL and Auburn, AL.
1
Start on 1st Avenue
73 ft
·
5 sec
·
1st Avenue
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on AL 68
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
AL 68
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
5
Merge onto I 59
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 59
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 181
Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
7
Turn right onto AL 77
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on AL 77
41 mi
·
59 min
·
West Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Western Bypass
10
Continue on AL 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockford Highway
11
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
12
Merge onto US 280
57 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 280
13
Turn right onto AL 147
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Street
Use the right lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
North College Street
15
Continue on AL 147
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North College Street
16
Turn left
291 ft
·
21 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
This 3-hour, 13-minute drive is easily accomplished in a single day, so you have the flexibility to leave when it suits you best. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $23, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 57.3 miles on US 280. While the drive is not overly long, a brief stop around the halfway point can help break up the journey and ensure you arrive refreshed.
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 76.5 miles from Collinsville, AL, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.3 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 41m 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 39m
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 Collinsville, 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 Collinsville, AL
This is one driving day of about 153 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Collinsville, 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 57.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.5 miles from Collinsville, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 148.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
6
25.3 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 181
Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
4
25.6 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
AL 77 / Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Turn right onto AL 77 / Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
148.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
AL 147 / North College Street
Turn right onto AL 147 / North College Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.11 one way
$46.21 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $25.37 | $50.73 |
| premium | $4.56 | $27.46 | $54.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.78 | $67.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.06 | $7.34 |
| Efficient EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.39 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.42 | $9.79 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
4:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Vincent, AL
77 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 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 47.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed profile, with 54% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a 57.3-mile stretch on US 280, which forms the longest uninterrupted part of this route. Expect transitions between faster highway speeds and potentially more varied road conditions as you navigate through different towns and landscapes. The drive will likely feel like a blend of efficient travel on main arteries and more local road engagement.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.3 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Main Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 13m drive. You will face about 11 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 (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Collinsville, AL to Auburn, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Rainbow City along the way.
Rainbow City
25.3 mi in
|
~28m
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 13m. Total distance: 153 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.3 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Auburn, AL
More from Collinsville, AL
More trips to Auburn, AL
Explore more options from Collinsville, AL or browse trips ending in Auburn, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.