Origin
Meridianville, AL
Late night in Meridianville on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Meridianville, 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
4h 21m
Distance
218.1 mi
351 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 22m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meridianville, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 218.1-mile drive from Meridianville, AL to Auburn, AL will take approximately 4 hours and 21 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. The journey is predominantly highway-focused, with 96% of the route utilizing major roads like I-65, I-565, and US 280. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this trip offers an economical way to travel within the Southeast region. You'll experience a straightforward drive, suitable for those who prefer covering distance efficiently. Given its duration, it’s perfectly suited as a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stay.
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
109.1 miles from Meridianville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m 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 |
| US 231 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| 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 Meridianville, AL and Auburn, AL.
1
Start on Wells Road
243 ft
·
13 sec
·
Wells Road
2
Turn right onto US 231; US 431
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US 231; US 431
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 231; US 431
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Parkway Northwest
4
Take the exit onto US 72
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 72
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I-565 West
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 65
74 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 65
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 261B
Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
15
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20; I 59
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Use the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
19
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.
20
Take the exit onto US 280
84 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
US 280
21
Turn right onto AL 147
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Street
Use the right lane.
22
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
North College Street
23
Continue on AL 147
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North College Street
24
Turn left
291 ft
·
21 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 21-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Meridianville, AL, to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can plan to refuel and stretch your legs midway, perhaps around the longest 101.8-mile stretch on US 280. The $33 fuel cost is relatively low, so budget accordingly. Since this is a primarily highway drive, staying alert for changing speed limits and any construction zones on I-65 and US 280 will be key to a smooth trip to Auburn, 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 109.1 miles from Meridianville, AL, or about 2h 2m 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 48 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.1 miles or 2h 2m 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 31m
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 Meridianville, 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 Meridianville, AL
This is one driving day of about 218.1 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Meridianville, 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
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109.1 miles from Meridianville, 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 8.4 and 108.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.4 mi into trip
|
~11m 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
27.3 mi into trip
|
~32m 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
101.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
108.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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
108.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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
$32.94 one way
$65.88 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $36.16 | $72.32 |
| premium | $4.56 | $39.15 | $78.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.15 | $96.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.90 | $10.47 |
| Efficient EV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.08 | $8.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.2 | 1 | $30.53 | $13.96 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Auburn, AL
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
1 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 21m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 218.1-mile journey. With 96% of the route on major roadways, you'll spend the majority of your time on I-65, I-565, and US 280. The drive features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 101.8 miles on US 280, indicating substantial periods of steady driving. This profile suggests a consistent pace, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours and more of a direct approach to reaching your destination. The road character remains largely consistent, prioritizing efficiency over winding scenic byways.
96% 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: 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 8.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 218.1 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 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.8 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 Meridianville, AL and Auburn, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale, Montgomery, Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
Nashville
27.1 mi in
|
~31m
Fultondale
101.8 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Montgomery
102.8 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Gadsden
107.1 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Downtown
108.3 mi in
|
~2h 1m
Zoo Gardens
111.5 mi in
|
~2h 6m
|
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 4h 21m. Total distance: 218.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m 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.
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 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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