The drive from Alabaster, AL to Jacksonville, AL covers 91.5 miles and takes about 1h 50m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, John M. Harbert III Freeway, I 65 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.9 miles on I 20.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.82 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.7 miles from Alabaster, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 91.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 50m highway drive covering 91.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.9 miles on I 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
26.4 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward I 20: Birmingham, Atlanta
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 29
Toward I 20: Birmingham, Atlanta
7
26.5 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Atlanta
8
75 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward AL 21: Oxford, Anniston
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 185
Toward AL 21: Oxford, Anniston
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 Jacksonville, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Atlanta and Anniston.
Gadsden
12.5 mi in|~14m
Tuscaloosa
12.5 mi in|~14m
Atlanta
26.4 mi in|~30m
Anniston
75 mi in|~1h 23m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
47.9 mi
51m
John M. Harbert III Freeway
13 mi
13m
I 65
11 mi
11m
McClellan Boulevard
7 mi
10m
AL 21
5.2 mi
10m
Pelham Road South
4 mi
5m
1st Street South
1.2 mi
1m
Public Square West
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 47.9 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster, AL and Jacksonville, 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: BirminghamUse 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 250Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, GadsdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 459
13 mi·13 min·John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 29Toward I 20: Birmingham, AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: AtlantaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 20
48 mi·51 min·I 20
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 185Toward AL 21: Oxford, AnnistonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto AL 21
5.2 mi·10 min·AL 21
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on AL 21
7.0 mi·10 min·McClellan Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on AL 21
4.0 mi·5 min·Pelham Road South
16
Turn left onto AL 21
228 ft·6 sec·Public Square West
17
Arrive at destination
AL 21
Trip Plan
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.7 miles from Alabaster, AL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.9 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.7 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alabaster, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alabaster, AL
This is one driving day of about 91.5 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Alabaster, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 47.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.7 mi from Alabaster, AL
· 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 22.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.82 one way
$27.64 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.17
$30.34
premium
$4.56
$16.42
$32.85
diesel
$5.61
$20.20
$40.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Francis Energy Charging Station
Birmingham, Alabama
Other
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Lincoln, Alabama
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Anniston, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Leeds, Alabama
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Alabaster, Alabama
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Pell City, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Oxford, Alabama
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Leeds, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 7
Other: 6
Tesla: 4
Electrify America: 3
Blink: 3
EVgo: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.5
0
$9.61
$4.39
Efficient EV
22.9
0
$8.01
$3.66
EV Truck/SUV
36.6
0
$12.81
$5.86
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Alabaster, AL
Late night
in Alabaster on Saturday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, AL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 50m 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 Jacksonville, AL covers 91.5 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, John M. Harbert III Freeway, I 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.7 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 $13.82 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Alabaster, AL and Jacksonville, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Atlanta and Anniston.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
