There’s nothing quite like a Saturday in Auburn. From the sea of orange and blue at Jordan–Hare Stadium to the roar of Tiger Walk, Auburn University home football games bring thousands of fans to town. But with all the excitement comes one unavoidable reality: traffic.
Game days transform our roads, especially I-85, Wire Road, and College Street, into high-volume corridors filled with buses, RVs, and cars loaded with tailgating gear. While it’s all part of the tradition, the increased congestion also creates unique safety challenges for drivers, visitors, and locals alike.
The Traffic Impact of Game Day
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I-85: As the main artery into Auburn, I-85 sees a major spike in traffic before and after kickoff. Fans traveling from Atlanta, Montgomery, and beyond flood the exits, leading to backups at key interchanges.
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Wire Road: This gateway to campus becomes packed with charter buses, student shuttles, and out-of-town visitors unfamiliar with Auburn’s traffic flow.
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College Street: From Toomer’s Corner to Jordan–Hare, College Street is one of the busiest stretches in town on game day, filled with pedestrians, cyclists, and distracted drivers navigating tight spaces.
All of this means longer travel times, increased stress, and unfortunately, a higher risk of accidents.
Common Risks on Game Days
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High volume of buses and RVs: These oversized vehicles take longer to maneuver and stop, making sudden lane changes dangerous.
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Distracted drivers: Whether it’s fans trying to navigate with GPS, text friends, or snap photos, distractions spike on game weekends.
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Alcohol-related incidents: Tailgating is a big part of Auburn football, but it also leads to an increase in DUIs and impaired driving accidents.
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Pedestrian congestion: Thousands of fans walk near Jordan–Hare, crossing busy streets and parking areas, raising the risk of pedestrian accidents.
Safety Tips for Game Day Travel
If you’re hitting the road during Auburn football season, here are a few ways to stay safe:
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Plan ahead – Leave early and expect delays. A little extra time can reduce stress and prevent aggressive driving.
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Stay patient near RVs and buses – Give larger vehicles plenty of space, especially when turning or merging.
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Put the phone down – With heavy traffic and pedestrians, full attention on the road is essential.
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Avoid drinking and driving – If you’ve been tailgating, use a designated driver or rideshare service.
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Watch for pedestrians – Slow down near crosswalks, parking lots, and College Street, especially after games when fans are pouring out of the stadium.
- Traffic Patterns change Post-Game – Did you know that the City of Auburn will turn many pre-game roads into one way roads post game. That means you may not be able to take the same route home. Keep reading below to learn more.
Why This Matters
Game day traffic is part of life in Auburn, but it doesn’t have to put you or your family at risk. By understanding the unique challenges of these weekends and driving defensively, we can keep the roads safer for everyone—fans, students, and locals alike.
Download a Post Game Day Traffic Map by clicking HERE.
For a more detailed intown map of the change of post game traffic flow, check out this post from the Auburn Alabama Police Department that includes several different maps for some of the most busiest intersections. Click HERE
When Accidents Happen
Even with precautions, accidents can occur on busy game weekends. If you or a loved one is injured in a car, pedestrian, or DUI-related crash, you deserve experienced legal representation.
At Walton Law Firm, Attorney Trip Walton and our team have been helping injury victims across Auburn, Opelika, and East Alabama for more than 35 years. We know the local roads, the traffic patterns, and how to hold negligent drivers accountable.
Call 334-321-3000 or contact us online for a free consultation. We don’t get paid unless you win.
War Eagle!
