Smoke Rise to Auburn is 138.5 miles and takes about 3h 3m via US 280 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive that spends most of its time on major highways. For a quick hop between these two locations, this route is efficient and requires minimal planning. If you're looking for a simple, no-fuss drive, this one fits the bill.
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
69.3 miles from Smoke Rise, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 280
101.8 mi
2h 7m
I 65
22 mi
24m
North College Street
4.7 mi
7m
Red Mountain Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Smoke Rise Trail
1.4 mi
5m
I 20
1 mi
1m
Crosshill Lane
0.9 mi
3m
Crosshill Trail
0.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 101.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smoke Rise, AL and Auburn, AL.
1
Start on this road
157 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Crosshill Lane
0.9 mi·3 min·Crosshill Lane
3
At end of road, turn right onto Crosshill Trail
0.6 mi·2 min·Crosshill Trail
4
Turn right onto Ridge Trail
0.1 mi·26 sec·Ridge Trail
5
Continue on Ridge Trail
0.1 mi·35 sec·Ridge Trail
6
Turn left onto Scenic Trail
0.2 mi·48 sec·Scenic Trail
7
Turn left onto Smoke Rise Trail
0.4 mi·1 min·Smoke Rise Trail
8
Continue on Smoke Rise Trail
0.9 mi·3 min·Smoke Rise Trail
9
At end of road, turn right onto AL 160
0.2 mi·24 sec·AL 160
10
Enter roundabout onto US 31
199 ft·5 sec·US 31
11
Continue on US 31
254 ft·6 sec·US 31
12
Enter roundabout onto US 31
223 ft·6 sec·US 31
13
Continue on US 31
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 31
14
Enter roundabout
250 ft·4 sec
15
Continue
0.2 mi·29 sec
16
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 65
3.9 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 261BToward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
22
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 126AToward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 EastUse the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi·3 min·Red Mountain Expressway
26
Take the exit onto US 280
18 mi·24 min·US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo GardensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit onto US 280
84 mi·1 hr 42 min·US 280
28
Turn right onto AL 147
0.7 mi·1 min·North College Street
Use the right lane.
29
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
77 ft·1 sec·North College Street
30
Continue on AL 147
4.0 mi·6 min·North College Street
31
Turn left
291 ft·21 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3h 3m driving time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, so factor that into your budget. With over 100 miles on US 280, you'll have a solid stretch of highway cruising before reaching Auburn. Plan for one stop if needed, but the duration suggests you might not need a lengthy break.
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 69.3 miles from Smoke Rise, AL, or about 1h 36m 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 30 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.3 miles or 1h 36m 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 30m
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 Smoke Rise, 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 Smoke Rise, AL
This is one driving day of about 138.5 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Smoke Rise, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 28.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.6 mi into trip|~13m in|US 31
Enter roundabout onto US 31
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
3.7 mi into trip|~14m in|US 31
Enter roundabout onto US 31
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
22.2 mi into trip|~34m 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
28.7 mi into trip|~42m 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
28.9 mi into trip|~43m 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
$20.92 one way
$41.83 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$22.96
$45.92
premium
$4.56
$24.86
$49.72
diesel
$5.61
$30.58
$61.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.6
0
$14.54
$6.65
Efficient EV
34.6
0
$12.12
$5.54
EV Truck/SUV
55.4
0
$19.39
$8.86
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Smoke Rise, AL
Afternoon
in Smoke Rise on Sunday
Local time
1:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, AL
Afternoon
in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
1:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Vincent, AL
69 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 3m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 92% of this 138.5-mile trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch on main roads is 101.8 miles, primarily on US 280. Expect a predominantly highway experience until you approach Auburn, where you'll transition to surface streets like North College Street. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll likely encounter frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate between these two Alabama locations.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 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 3.6 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 138.5 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 3.6 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.7 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.2 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.
Between Smoke Rise, AL and Auburn, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale, Montgomery, Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
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 3m. Total distance: 138.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.7 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
