This 149.3-mile drive from Riverside to Auburn, Alabama, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. You'll primarily navigate US 280, with some time on Western Bypass and 6th Street South. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, and with only one recommended stop, it's a fairly straightforward journey through the Southeast region of Alabama. This route is ideal for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
74.6 miles from Riverside, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 280
57.3 mi
1h 8m
Western Bypass
22.7 mi
26m
6th Street South
16.5 mi
24m
Heart of Dixie Highway
10.5 mi
14m
AL 77
9.7 mi
13m
I 20
8.9 mi
9m
AL 75
7.2 mi
11m
North College Street
4.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 57.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, AL and Auburn, AL.
1
Start on CR 26
3.5 mi·5 min·CR 26
2
At end of road, turn right onto AL 75
7.2 mi·11 min·AL 75
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 231
17 mi·24 min·6th Street South
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto 4th Street
281 ft·17 sec·4th Street
5
Turn left onto AL 23
397 ft·13 sec·6th Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 231; US 411
4.1 mi·6 min·5th Street
7
Enter roundabout onto US 231
140 ft·2 sec·Heart of Dixie Highway
8
Continue on US 231
10 mi·14 min·Heart of Dixie Highway
9
Continue on US 231
2.3 mi·3 min·Martin Street North
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 20
8.9 mi·9 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 168Toward AL 77: Talladega, LincolnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto AL 77
9.7 mi·13 min·AL 77
14
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi·26 min·Western Bypass
15
Continue on AL 21
1.0 mi·1 min·Rockford Highway
16
Turn left
0.2 mi·34 sec
17
Merge onto US 280
57 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 280
18
Turn right onto AL 147
0.7 mi·1 min·North College Street
Use the right lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
77 ft·1 sec·North College Street
20
Continue on AL 147
4.0 mi·6 min·North College Street
21
Turn left
291 ft·21 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 15-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is a good strategy to maximize your day in Auburn. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 57.3-mile stretch on US 280, as services might be more spread out there. The $23 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to factor in a little extra. Arriving in Auburn earlier in the day allows for more time to explore once you're there.
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 74.6 miles from Riverside, AL, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.3 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 33 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.6 miles or 1h 44m 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 40m
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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, AL
This is one driving day of about 149.3 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Riverside, 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 57.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 144.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.5 mi into trip|~5m in|AL 75
At end of road, turn right onto AL 75
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
10.6 mi into trip|~17m in|US 231 / 6th Street South
Turn left onto US 231 / 6th Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
44.4 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
53.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward AL 77: Talladega, Lincoln
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 168
Toward AL 77: Talladega, Lincoln
5
144.5 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|AL 147 / North College Street
Turn right onto AL 147 / North College Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.55 one way
$45.10 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$24.75
$49.50
premium
$4.56
$26.80
$53.60
diesel
$5.61
$32.96
$65.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.8
0
$15.68
$7.17
Efficient EV
37.3
0
$13.06
$5.97
EV Truck/SUV
59.7
0
$20.90
$9.56
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Riverside, AL
Morning
in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, AL
Morning
in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Lincoln, AL
75 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
3h 15m 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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 56.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 58% of your journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 57.3 miles on US 280, offering a solid period of consistent travel. While much of the drive will be on main roads, the inclusion of Western Bypass and 6th Street South suggests some variation in road type as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll experience both open highway cruising and potentially more urban or local road conditions.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.3 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near AL 75.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (AL 75): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (US 231 / 6th Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.4 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Riverside, AL to Auburn, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Lincoln along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 149.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.3 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.
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 3.5 miles (AL 75): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (US 231 / 6th Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.4 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
