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Trip from Ardmore, AL to Montgomery, AL

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

198 mi

319 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 28m ★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Ardmore, AL, AL

Ardmore, AL

Maximiliana Eligi Mtenga

Trip Overview

The drive from Ardmore, AL to Montgomery, AL covers 198 miles and takes about 3h 40m 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-65, Interstate 65 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.3 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.27 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

99 miles from Ardmore, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 40m highway drive covering 198 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I-65. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.3 miles on I 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

888 ft 590 ft

Total Climb

298 ft

Total Descent

284 ft

Highest Point

888 ft

~57.7 mi in

Elevation Range

298 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I-65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 101.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 198 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 101.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
101.8 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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
7
102.3 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
102.8 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Montgomery
6
196.4 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
6
197.2 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in

Take the exit toward Court Street, Union Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 1 Toward Court Street, Union Street

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Ardmore, AL to Montgomery, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Fultondale along the way.

Fultondale

101.8 mi in | ~1h 51m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 93.3 mi 1h 43m
I-65 87.6 mi 1h 33m
Interstate 65 South 10.8 mi 11m
7th Street 2.1 mi 3m
I 85 0.6 mi <1m
Ardmore Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Arba Street 0.4 mi 1m
6th Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 93.3 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ardmore, AL and Montgomery, AL.

1

Start on TN 7

137 ft · 6 sec · Main Street
2

Turn right onto AL 53

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Ardmore Avenue
3

Turn right onto AL 53

0.3 mi · 28 sec · 6th Street
4

At end of road, turn left onto AL 53

427 ft · 13 sec · 1st Avenue West
5

Turn right onto AL 53

2.1 mi · 3 min · 7th Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward Birmingham
7

Merge onto I 65; US 31

11 mi · 11 min · Interstate 65 South
8

Continue on I 65

0.2 mi · 11 sec · I 65
9

Continue on I 65

88 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I-65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 38 sec
Exit 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Toward Montgomery Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 65

93 mi · 1 hr 43 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

393 ft · 9 sec
Exit 171 Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
16

Continue on I 85

0.6 mi · 52 sec · I 85
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 1 Toward Court Street, Union Street
18

Continue on Arba Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arba Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Turn right onto South Decatur Street

462 ft · 12 sec · South Decatur Street
20

Turn left onto Winnie Street

440 ft · 24 sec · Winnie Street
21

At end of road, turn left onto South Union Street

187 ft · 3 sec · South Union Street
22

Arrive at destination

South Union 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 99 miles from Ardmore, AL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.3 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 99 miles or 1h 48m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montgomery, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, AL

This is one driving day of about 198 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ardmore, 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 93.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 99 mi from Ardmore, AL · 1h 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hoover, AL

99 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

Hayden, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hoover, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 99 miles from Ardmore, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.3 miles.

Arriving in Montgomery, AL

The final approach into Montgomery, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Montgomery, AL.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.27 one way

$60.54 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $33.20 $66.40
premium $4.61 $35.94 $71.87
diesel $5.64 $43.99 $87.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 69.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59.4 0 $20.79 $9.50
Efficient EV 49.5 0 $17.33 $7.92
EV Truck/SUV 79.2 0 $27.72 $12.67

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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 data refreshed 9 hours ago

Origin

Ardmore, AL

Afternoon in Ardmore on Sunday

Local time

4:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 3:14AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 10:01PM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

Destination

Montgomery, AL

Afternoon in Montgomery on Sunday

Local time

4:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

88°F

Sunny

SE 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 3:14AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 10:01PM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

Along the Route

84°F

Hoover, AL

99 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

5 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 40m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Ardmore, AL to Montgomery, AL covers 198 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I-65, Interstate 65 South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99 miles from Ardmore, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 198 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 101.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Ardmore, AL to Montgomery, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Fultondale along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 590 ft to 888 ft elevation with about 298 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Montgomery, AL to Ardmore, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

197.8 mi 3h 39m

Continue From Montgomery, AL

Florence, AL 206.5 mi · 3h 15m East Florence, AL 206.4 mi · 3h 14m Madison, AL 181 mi · 3h 22m Guntersville, AL 175.3 mi · 3h 26m

More from Ardmore, AL

Mobile, AL 363.3 mi · 6h 38m Dothan, AL 300.6 mi · 5h 54m Auburn, AL 218.1 mi · 4h 20m Tuscaloosa, AL 163.3 mi · 3h 1m Hoover, AL 116.5 mi · 2h 12m Birmingham, AL 108.8 mi · 2h 2m

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