This 223.7-mile journey from Hazel Green, AL to Auburn, AL will take approximately 4 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Primarily using I-65, I-565, and US 280, this route is a solid option for a single-day road trip, especially given its highway-focused profile. You can expect a fuel cost of around $34 for this drive. The route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you travel through Alabama. It's a straightforward drive that’s easy to plan for a day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.9 miles from Hazel Green, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 280
101.8 mi
2h 7m
I 65
77.6 mi
1h 23m
I 565
18.3 mi
19m
U.S. 231
11.6 mi
13m
North College Street
4.7 mi
7m
Red Mountain Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Memorial Parkway Northwest
1.6 mi
2m
I 20
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 101.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hazel Green, AL and Auburn, AL.
1
Start on US 231; US 431
12 mi·13 min·U.S. 231
2
Keep slight left at fork onto US 231; US 431
1.6 mi·2 min·Memorial Parkway Northwest
3
Take the exit onto US 72
0.9 mi·1 min·US 72
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I-565 WestUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
18 mi·19 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 65
74 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 65
3.9 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 261BToward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
14
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 126AToward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 EastUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi·3 min·Red Mountain Expressway
18
Take the exit onto US 280
18 mi·24 min·US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo GardensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto US 280
84 mi·1 hr 42 min·US 280
20
Turn right onto AL 147
0.7 mi·1 min·North College Street
Use the right lane.
21
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
77 ft·1 sec·North College Street
22
Continue on AL 147
4.0 mi·6 min·North College Street
23
Turn left
291 ft·21 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Auburn. With a total duration of just over 4 hours, this trip is easily manageable in one day, so flexibility is key. Plan for one main stop to stretch your legs and refuel, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major town is over 100 miles on US 280.
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 111.9 miles from Hazel Green, AL, or about 2h 4m 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 4m 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 36m
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 Hazel Green, 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 Hazel Green, AL
This is one driving day of about 223.7 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Hazel Green, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 14 and 114.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-565 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-565 West
8
32.9 mi into trip|~38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
8
107.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
8
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.78 one way
$67.57 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$37.09
$74.17
premium
$4.56
$40.15
$80.30
diesel
$5.61
$49.39
$98.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
Efficient EV
55.9
0
$19.57
$8.95
EV Truck/SUV
89.5
1
$31.32
$14.32
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Hazel Green, AL
Late night
in Hazel Green on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, AL
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
4h 27m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 115.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 96% highway share, this route is predominantly an interstate experience, designed for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles on US 280, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. This highway-focused profile means you'll likely experience steady speeds and predictable road conditions for most of the journey. It's a drive built for covering ground rather than leisurely sightseeing.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 223.7 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 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.4 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.
Between Hazel Green, AL and Auburn, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale, Montgomery, Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 223.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.4 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
