Origin
Alabaster, AL
Morning in Alabaster on Saturday
Local time
8:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alabaster, AL to Clay, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
41.1 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alabaster, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Clay, AL
3B
Trip Overview
The drive from Alabaster, AL to Clay, AL covers 41.1 miles and takes about 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on John M. Harbert III Freeway, I 65, I 59 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 17.1 miles on John M. Harbert III Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.21 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 41.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 49m highway drive covering 41.1 miles, with most of the trip on John M. Harbert III Freeway and I 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 17.1 miles on John M. Harbert III Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
John M. Harbert III Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on John M. Harbert III Freeway and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 41.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
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 250
Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
8
12.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
8
30.5 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33B
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alabaster, AL and Clay, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden and Tuscaloosa.
Gadsden
12.5 mi in
|
~14m
Tuscaloosa
12.5 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| I 65 | 11 mi | 11m |
| I 59 | 6 mi | 6m |
| Deerfoot Parkway | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| 1st Street South | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Old Springville Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
John M. Harbert III Freeway
— 17.1 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster, AL and Clay, AL.
1
Start on this road
97 ft
·
14 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
177 ft
·
14 sec
3
Turn right onto US 31; AL 119
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street South
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 65
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 250
Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 459
17 mi
·
18 min
·
John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 33B
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
this road
Exit 33A
Toward I-59 North: Gadsden
11
Merge onto I 59
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 143
Toward Deerfoot Parkway
13
Turn right onto Deerfoot Parkway
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Deerfoot Parkway
14
Turn right onto Old Springville Road
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Old Springville Road
15
Arrive at destination
Old Springville Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.6 mi from Alabaster, AL · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from Alabaster, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clay, AL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Clay, AL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.21 one way
$12.41 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $6.81 | $13.63 |
| premium | $4.56 | $7.38 | $14.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.07 | $18.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.32 | $1.97 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.60 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.75 | $2.63 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Clay, AL
Morning in Clay on Saturday
Local time
8:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
49m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alabaster, AL to Clay, AL covers 41.1 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are John M. Harbert III Freeway, I 65, I 59. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.6 miles from Alabaster, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 41.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Alabaster, AL and Clay, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden and Tuscaloosa.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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