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Trip from Mountain Brook, AL to Opelika, AL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

110.6 mi

178 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 12m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in southeastern Jefferson County, Alabama

Mountain Brook, AL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Alabama, United States

Opelika, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 110.3-mile journey from Mountain Brook, AL, to Opelika, AL, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with Hollywood Boulevard and Pepperell Parkway being key sections of your drive. Since there's no highway travel involved and the drive is relatively short, you can expect a fuel cost of around $17. This route offers a straightforward local experience within the Southeast region, ideal for a quick transit between these two Alabama cities without needing an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

55.3 miles from Mountain Brook, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 280 106.2 mi 2h 12m
Montevallo Road 1.7 mi 3m
Pepperell Parkway 0.9 mi 1m
2nd Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
North 10th Street 0.3 mi <1m
Hollywood Boulevard 0.3 mi <1m
Avenue B <0.1 mi <1m
South 9th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 280 — 106.2 mi, about 2h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mountain Brook, AL and Opelika, AL.

1

Start on Montevallo Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Montevallo Road
2

Continue on Hollywood Boulevard

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
4

Merge onto US 280

17 mi · 23 min · US 280
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Take the exit onto US 280

89 mi · 1 hr 49 min · US 280
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
6

Turn left onto SR 604

0.9 mi · 1 min · Pepperell Parkway
7

Continue on 2nd Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue
8

Turn right onto North 10th Street

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North 10th Street
9

Turn left onto Avenue B

464 ft · 22 sec · Avenue B
Use the left lane.
10

Turn right onto South 9th Street

81 ft · 3 sec · South 9th Street
11

Arrive at destination

South 9th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 5-minute duration, starting your drive from Mountain Brook in the morning is advisable to avoid potential midday traffic in the towns you'll pass through. With no significant highway stretches, this 110.3-mile trip is flexible; you can easily adjust your pace. Budget approximately $17 for fuel, and given the local road nature, be prepared for frequent turns and potential slowdowns. Consider picking up a coffee or snack before you leave Mountain Brook, as there are no designated stops mentioned, and this will help you settle in for the local driving experience.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.3 miles from Mountain Brook, AL, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.2 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 24 miles or 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 55.3 miles or 1h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Opelika, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Mountain Brook, 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 Mountain Brook, AL

This is one driving day of about 110.6 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Mountain Brook, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 280 for about 106.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sylacauga, AL

55 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

Vincent, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sylacauga, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.3 miles from Mountain Brook, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 280 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Alexander City, Alabama

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third · 51min to go 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12562153998

Visit website

Subway

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Alexander City, Alabama

1.5 mi

Bay Leaf Modern Indian Cuisine & Bar - 5 Points

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Birmingham, Alabama

2.6 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Side Track

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Opelika, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Opelika, Alabama

0.2 mi

Church Street Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mountain Brook, Alabama

0.3 mi

Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Alexander City, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12562153998

Visit website

Subway

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv

Alexander City, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12563290070

Visit website

Bay Leaf Modern Indian Cuisine & Bar - 5 Points

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12057773070

Visit website

Johnny's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+12058022711

Visit website

Shiki Birmingham

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12057835222

Visit website

Jake's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Alexander City, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–1:30 pm

+12562344300

Visit website

Little Caesars Pizza

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+12059910971

Visit website

Hardee's

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv

Sylacauga, Alabama

Hours: 4 am–10 pm

+12562457657

Visit website

Side Track

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Opelika, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Opelika, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13347376212

Visit website

Church Street Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Mountain Brook, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12058701117

Visit website

Boonie Hat Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Opelika, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13343630390

Visit website

Bullet Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 5:30 am–8 pm

+12058488070

Wild Flour Bakery

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Waverly, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13347556513

Visit website

Toomers Coffee Roasters | We're the Coffee, not the Corner | Family Owned since 2004

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Opelika, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+13342031010

Visit website

Punch Love Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Alexander City, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Opelika, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Alexander City, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Flo Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.1 mi from route

Oak Grove, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883568911

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Alexander City, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Loop Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Chelsea, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883856671

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Alexander City, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

City Park (Monkey Park)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Opelika, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13347055549

Visit website

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12054143950

Visit website

Birmingham Zoo

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12058790409

Visit website

Breakout Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 9:45 am–10:30 pm

+12052824798

Visit website

Vulcan Park and Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12059331409

Visit website

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12052542025

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Meadowbrook, Alabama

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12054447777

Visit website

McWane Science Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12057148300

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 110.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 280

Merge onto US 280

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
18.9 mi into trip | ~27m in | US 280

Take the exit onto US 280

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
4
110.2 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | North 10th Street

Turn right onto North 10th Street

Navigation decision point

5
110.5 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in | Avenue B

Turn left onto Avenue B

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
110.6 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in | South 9th Street

Turn right onto South 9th Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.70 one way

$33.41 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $18.34 $36.67
premium $4.56 $19.85 $39.70
diesel $5.61 $24.42 $48.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.2 0 $11.61 $5.31
Efficient EV 27.7 0 $9.68 $4.42
EV Truck/SUV 44.2 0 $15.48 $7.08

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Mountain Brook, AL

Late night in Mountain Brook on Tuesday

Local time

3:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Opelika, AL

Late night in Opelika on Tuesday

Local time

3:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

2h 21m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 110.3-mile route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and city streets for the full duration, so keep an eye out for traffic signals and varying speed limits. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving, indicating frequent intersections and changes in direction. The profile suggests a continuous engagement with local traffic and road conditions rather than a high-speed, open-road experience.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.2 mi on US 280.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and Montevallo Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near US 280.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Mountain Brook, AL to Opelika, AL is easy. At 2h 21m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (US 280): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles (North 10th Street): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 110.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 106.2 miles on US 280. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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: at 2.2 miles (US 280): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles (North 10th Street): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Opelika, AL before heading back.

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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