This 293.9-mile journey from Huntsville, AL, to Opp, AL, is designed for a single day of travel, with an estimated duration of 5 hours and 30 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-65 and I-565, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of the drive on interstates. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $44, making it an economical option for exploring within Alabama. You'll experience a consistent highway feel for most of the drive, with one significant stretch of 223.9 miles on I-65. This route is straightforward and well-suited for travelers looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within the Southeast region.
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
146.9 miles from Huntsville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
223.9 mi
4h 4m
I 565
18.9 mi
20m
Crum Foshee Highway
17.9 mi
20m
Martin Luther King Junior Expressway
12.7 mi
15m
AL 106
9.4 mi
11m
US 84
3.8 mi
6m
West Cummings Avenue
1 mi
1m
Washington Street Northeast
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 223.9 mi, about 4h 4m
Traffic on I-565
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 75 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,144 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~205 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Huntsville, AL and Opp, AL.
1
Start on Spring Street Southwest
4 ft·3 sec·Spring Street Southwest
2
Turn right onto West Side Square
376 ft·16 sec·West Side Square
3
Continue on South Side Square
369 ft·16 sec·South Side Square
4
Turn left onto East Side Square
371 ft·9 sec·East Side Square
5
Continue on Washington Street Southeast
364 ft·9 sec·Washington Street Southeast
6
Continue on Washington Street Northeast
0.5 mi·53 sec·Washington Street Northeast
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
8
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
19 mi·20 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
74 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 65
150 mi·2 hr 45 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
17
Turn left onto AL 106; AL 55
9.4 mi·11 min·AL 106; AL 55
18
Continue on AL 55
18 mi·20 min·Crum Foshee Highway
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; AL 55
3.8 mi·6 min·US 84; AL 55
20
Turn left onto US 29; US 84
13 mi·15 min·Martin Luther King Junior Expressway
21
Turn left
2.3 mi·3 min
22
Continue on West Cummings Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·West Cummings Avenue
23
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Main Street
24
Turn right onto West Hart Avenue
80 ft·3 sec·West Hart Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
West Hart Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 30-minute travel time, this route is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip. Aim to depart Huntsville in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace, keeping in mind the single recommended stop. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is 223.9 miles on I-65, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps before or after this segment. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, it’s a budget-friendly drive, but always keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when heading into more rural areas. A key tip for this drive is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you leave, as the majority of the route is high-speed highway driving.
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 146.9 miles from Huntsville, AL, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.9 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 65 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Opp, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, AL
This is one driving day of about 293.9 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Huntsville, 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 223.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 20 and 95.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1
Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
8
20.1 mi into trip|~23m 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
94.6 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
7
95.1 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.17 one way
$90.35 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$49.96
$99.93
premium
$4.65
$53.77
$107.54
diesel
$5.35
$61.90
$123.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.2
1
$30.86
$14.11
Efficient EV
73.5
0
$25.72
$11.76
EV Truck/SUV
117.6
1
$41.15
$18.81
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Huntsville, AL
Evening
in Huntsville on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Opp, AL
Evening
in Opp on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph19% chanceLive 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
4 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
5h 30m 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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 101.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 293.9-mile trip, as 91% of the route is on interstates like I-65 and I-565. The drive is characterized by its focus on covering distance efficiently, with a substantial 223.9-mile segment on I-65 where you'll likely find consistent speeds. While Crum Foshee Highway is part of the route, the overall profile is overwhelmingly that of a fast-paced interstate drive. This means you'll encounter fewer local roads and more high-speed cruising, making it a direct path from Huntsville to Opp.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.9 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 293.9 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 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
719 ft234 ft
Total Climb
694 ft
Total Descent
1,003 ft
Highest Point
719 ft
~105 mi in
Elevation Range
485 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Huntsville, AL and Opp, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale, Montgomery, 55: Georgiana and Starlington.
Huntsville is in northern Alabama, about 20 miles (32 km) from the border with Tennessee. The city is a center for missile defense and aerospace technologies, with companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman having major operations here. Cummings Research Park, the second largest research park in the country, is home to many of these companies.
Top landmarks
•U.S. Space & Rocket Center — science museum in Huntsville, Alabama
•Episcopal Church of the Nativity — church building in Alabama, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 293.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223.9 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Opp, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Opp, AL before the return drive.
