Traveling from Opelika to Hueytown covers 126.3 miles of Alabama scenery, typically requiring about 2 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Southeast region, you won't experience major shifts in landscape, though the route is strictly a local drive rather than a highway sprint. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to complete the trip. Given the duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect a steady, turn-heavy pace as you navigate off the main interstates.
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
63.1 miles from Opelika, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 280
104.1 mi
2h 9m
I 20
9.6 mi
11m
Birmingham Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive
2.9 mi
5m
Red Mountain Expressway
2.4 mi
3m
2nd Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Pepperell Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
South 10th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 104.1 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opelika, AL and Hueytown, AL.
1
Start on South 9th Street
81 ft·8 sec·South 9th Street
2
Turn left onto Avenue B
464 ft·23 sec·Avenue B
3
Turn right onto South 10th Street
0.3 mi·51 sec·South 10th Street
4
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
5
Continue on Pepperell Parkway
0.9 mi·1 min·Pepperell Parkway
6
Take the ramp
408 ft·11 sec
7
Merge onto US 280
2.9 mi·3 min·Birmingham Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 280
104 mi·2 hr 9 min·US 280
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 280
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
10
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.4 mi·3 min·Red Mountain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 20, I 59Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: TuscaloosaUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 20; I 59
9.6 mi·11 min·I 20; I 59
Use the slight left / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 115Toward Allison-Bonnett Memorial DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward HueytownUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Valley Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·Valley Road
17
Continue on Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive
2.9 mi·5 min·Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive
18
Turn left onto High School Road
0.3 mi·1 min·High School Road
19
Arrive at destination
High School Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2-hour and 43-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic congestion. Plan for at least one stop during your 126.3-mile trip to stretch your legs and break up the repetitive turns. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you stay on track through the various turns on Avenue B and 2nd Avenue. Budgeting $19 for fuel should keep you covered, but filling up before you leave Opelika is a smart way to simplify your journey. Use the lack of highway miles to your advantage by pacing yourself and enjoying a more relaxed, non-interstate pace.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.1 miles from Opelika, AL, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.1 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 28 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.1 miles or 1h 21m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hueytown, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Opelika, 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 Opelika, AL
This is one driving day of about 126.3 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Opelika, 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 104.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 122.7 — 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|Avenue B
Turn left onto Avenue B
Navigation decision point
7
111.7 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 20, I 59
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20, I 59
8
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
7
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 115
Toward Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive
7
122.7 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hueytown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Hueytown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.07 one way
$38.15 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$20.94
$41.88
premium
$4.56
$22.67
$45.34
diesel
$5.61
$27.89
$55.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.9
0
$13.26
$6.06
Efficient EV
31.6
0
$11.05
$5.05
EV Truck/SUV
50.5
0
$17.68
$8.08
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Opelika, AL
Morning
in Opelika on Sunday
Local time
9:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hueytown, AL
Morning
in Hueytown on Sunday
Local time
9:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Vincent, AL
63 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
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 43m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 113.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this 126.3-mile route consists entirely of local roads rather than high-speed highways. With a highway share of 0%, your journey relies on navigating Avenue B, South 10th Street, and 2nd Avenue. This profile creates a turn-heavy atmosphere that requires your full attention throughout the nearly three-hour duration. Because there are no long, uninterrupted interstate stretches, the road demands consistent engagement and frequent maneuvering. It is a practical, localized way to traverse the state if you prefer to avoid the monotony of major freeways.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.1 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Avenue B.
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 12 significant decision points across 126.3 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: near the start (Avenue B): Navigation decision point; at 111.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 126.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.1 miles on US 280. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hueytown, 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: near the start (Avenue B): Navigation decision point; at 111.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hueytown, AL before heading back.
