Origin
Andalusia, AL
Afternoon in Andalusia on Saturday
Local time
1:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Andalusia, AL to Gadsden, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 25m
Distance
236.2 mi
380 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Andalusia, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Gadsden, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Andalusia, AL to Gadsden, AL covers 236.2 miles and takes about 4h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, I 59, AL 55 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.2 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
118.1 miles from Andalusia, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 135.2 mi | 2h 26m |
| I 59 | 44 mi | 47m |
| AL 55 | 17.9 mi | 20m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| Mobile Road | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| River Falls Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| I 759 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| South 11th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 135.2 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andalusia, AL and Gadsden, AL.
1
Start on Court Square
188 ft
·
5 sec
·
Court Square
2
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Church Street
3
Turn right onto River Falls Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
River Falls Street
4
Continue on River Falls Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
River Falls Road
5
Continue on River Falls Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
River Falls Street
6
Continue on US 29; AL 55
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
River Falls Street
7
Continue on US 84; AL 55
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
River Falls Street
8
Turn right onto AL 55
18 mi
·
20 min
·
AL 55
9
Continue on US 31; AL 55
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Mobile Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 65
135 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 250
Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 459
17 mi
·
18 min
·
John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 33B
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
this road
Exit 33A
Toward I-59 North: Gadsden
17
Merge onto I 59
44 mi
·
47 min
·
I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 182
Toward I 759: Gadsden
19
Continue on I 759
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 759
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 2
Toward Black Creek Parkway
21
Turn slight left onto Black Creek Parkway
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Black Creek Parkway
22
Turn slight right onto South 11th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South 11th Street
23
Turn right onto Walnut Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
24
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 6th Street
25
Arrive at destination
South 6th Street
Trip Plan
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 118.1 miles from Andalusia, AL, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.2 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.1 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gadsden, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Andalusia, 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 Andalusia, AL
This is one driving day of about 236.2 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Andalusia, 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 I 65 for about 135.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.1 miles from Andalusia, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 32.4 and 185.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
32.4 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
32.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
167.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m 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
168.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m 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
185.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.67 one way
$71.34 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $39.16 | $78.32 |
| premium | $4.56 | $42.40 | $84.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.15 | $104.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.80 | $11.34 |
| Efficient EV | 59.1 | 0 | $20.67 | $9.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.5 | 1 | $33.07 | $15.12 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Gadsden, AL
Afternoon in Gadsden on Saturday
Local time
1:07 PM
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
25 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
4h 25m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 171.3
View on nps.gov
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 220.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
236.2 mi in 4h 25m, mostly highway — 135.2 mi of that is on I 65.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.2 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 236.2 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 32.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 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.
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 Andalusia, AL to Gadsden, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscaloosa along the way.
Tuscaloosa
167.9 mi in
|
~3h 8m
About the Cities
Arriving in Gadsden, AL
Full guide →Gadsden is a city in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 236.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m 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 135.2 miles on I 65. 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.
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 Gadsden, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 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 and Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Gadsden, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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