Traveling from Piedmont to Auburn covers 110.6 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 431, State Route 9, and AL 147 as you traverse the Southeast region of Alabama. Budgeting approximately $17 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an economical choice for a quick getaway. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, the route is straightforward and efficient.
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
55.3 miles from Piedmont, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 431
71.5 mi
1h 39m
State Route 9
20.6 mi
28m
AL 147
7.9 mi
10m
North College Street
4.7 mi
7m
US 78
4 mi
5m
North Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
US 280
0.4 mi
<1m
Old US Highway 431 South
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 431
— 71.5 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Piedmont, AL and Auburn, AL.
1
Start on Center Avenue North
59 ft·3 sec·Center Avenue North
2
Turn right onto Southern Boulevard
0.1 mi·35 sec·Southern Boulevard
3
Turn left onto AL 9
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Turn straight onto AL 9
21 mi·28 min·State Route 9
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 78
4.0 mi·5 min·US 78
6
Turn left onto AL 301
0.4 mi·30 sec·Old US Highway 431 South
7
Continue on US 431
27 mi·36 min·US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 431
45 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn sharp right onto AL 147
7.9 mi·10 min·AL 147
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 280; AL 147
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 280; AL 147
11
Turn right onto AL 147
0.7 mi·1 min·North College Street
Use the right lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
77 ft·1 sec·North College Street
13
Continue on AL 147
4.0 mi·6 min·North College Street
14
Turn left
291 ft·21 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop during your 110.6-mile trek to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Keep in mind that the longest section of 71.5 miles occurs on US 431, so ensure your fuel tank is topped off before you commit to that extended stretch. Because the route relies heavily on highway travel, keep an eye on your speed and stay alert for changing traffic patterns as you move between roads. Utilizing that single planned stop effectively will make the 2-hour and 35-minute duration feel much shorter.
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 55.3 miles from Piedmont, AL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.5 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
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 Piedmont, 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 Piedmont, AL
This is one driving day of about 110.6 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Piedmont, 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 431 for about 71.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 106.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Southern Boulevard
Turn right onto Southern Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
21.6 mi into trip|~30m in|US 78
At end of road, turn right onto US 78
Navigation decision point
5
97.5 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|AL 147
Turn sharp right onto AL 147
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
105.8 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|AL 147 / North College Street
Turn right onto AL 147 / North College Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
106.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|AL 147 / North College Street
Enter roundabout onto AL 147 / North College Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.70 one way
$33.41 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 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 15, 2026
Origin
Piedmont, AL
Afternoon
in Piedmont on Sunday
Local time
2:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, AL
Afternoon
in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
2:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Roanoke, AL
55 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 35m 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.
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 26.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is defined by a high 95% highway share, keeping you moving steadily toward your destination. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 431, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 71.5 miles. While the route begins on major thoroughfares, you will eventually transition onto AL 147 as you approach Auburn. Expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel rather than a winding or technical backroad experience. The transition between these road types is predictable, offering a reliable flow for those who prefer highway cruising over local navigating.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.5 mi on US 431.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 431 and State Route 9. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southern Boulevard.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 35m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Southern Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 21.6 miles (US 78): Navigation decision point; at 97.5 miles (AL 147): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
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.
The longest stretch is about 71.5 miles on US 431. 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: near the start (Southern Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 21.6 miles (US 78): Navigation decision point; at 97.5 miles (AL 147): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Yes — Freedom Riders 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 Auburn, AL before heading back.
