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Trip from Chelsea, AL to Montgomery, AL

Drive Time

3h 34m

Distance

190.5 mi

307 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

29 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 22m ★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 59m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m

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 Chelsea, AL, AL

Chelsea, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Chelsea, AL to Montgomery, AL covers 190.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m 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 565, Drake Avenue Southwest for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 166.8 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.12 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

95.2 miles from Chelsea, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 34m highway drive covering 190.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 565. The longest continuous stretch is about 166.8 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 23 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 166.8 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

728 ft 239 ft

Total Climb

240 ft

Total Descent

672 ft

Highest Point

728 ft

~54.4 mi in

Elevation Range

490 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.6 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 190.5 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 19.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

6
19.6 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville

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

Exit 1 Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
8
19.8 mi into trip | ~24m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 1 Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
8
94.3 mi into trip | ~1h 45m 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
94.8 mi into trip | ~1h 45m 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
95.3 mi into trip | ~1h 46m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Chelsea, AL and Montgomery, AL, road signs point toward Nashville and Fultondale.

Nashville

19.6 mi in | ~24m

Fultondale

94.3 mi in | ~1h 45m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 166.8 mi 3h 2m
I 565 16.3 mi 17m
Drake Avenue Southwest 1 mi 1m
Patton Road Southwest 1 mi 1m
I 85 0.6 mi <1m
Triana Boulevard Southwest 0.5 mi 1m
Jordan Lane Southwest 0.5 mi 1m
Arba Street 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 166.8 mi, about 3h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Triana Boulevard Southwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · Triana Boulevard Southwest
2

Turn left onto Drake Avenue Southwest

1.0 mi · 1 min · Drake Avenue Southwest
3

Turn slight right

174 ft · 7 sec
4

Turn slight right onto Patton Road Southwest

1.0 mi · 1 min · Patton Road Southwest
5

Continue on Jordan Lane Southwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · Jordan Lane Southwest
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
7

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

16 mi · 17 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 1 Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 1 Toward I 65 South: Birmingham Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 65

74 mi · 1 hr 18 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 38 sec
Exit 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Toward Montgomery Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 65

93 mi · 1 hr 43 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

393 ft · 9 sec
Exit 171 Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
17

Continue on I 85

0.6 mi · 52 sec · I 85
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 1 Toward Court Street, Union Street
19

Continue on Arba Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arba Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Turn right onto South Decatur Street

462 ft · 12 sec · South Decatur Street
21

Turn left onto Winnie Street

440 ft · 24 sec · Winnie Street
22

At end of road, turn left onto South Union Street

187 ft · 3 sec · South Union Street
23

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 95.2 miles from Chelsea, AL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.8 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 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 95.2 miles or 1h 46m 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 54m

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 Chelsea, 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 Chelsea, AL

This is one driving day of about 190.5 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chelsea, 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 166.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 95.2 mi from Chelsea, AL · 1h 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hoover, AL

95 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 95.2 miles from Chelsea, 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 166.8 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 98.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.12 one way

$58.25 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $31.94 $63.89
premium $4.61 $34.58 $69.15
diesel $5.64 $42.32 $84.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

The Station at Town Madison - Tesla Supercharger

Madison, AL

Tesla

16 DCFC

MidCity District - Tesla Supercharger

Huntsville, AL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger

Cullman, AL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Santos Coffee - Tesla Supercharger

Gardendale, AL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Uptown Entertainment District - Tesla Supercharger

Birmingham, AL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Flying J Travel Center 602

Birmingham, AL

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

Woody Anderson Ford

Huntsville, AL

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 441

Priceville, AL

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 17 Tesla: 5 eVgo Network: 3 FORD_CHARGE: 1 Non-Networked: 1 EV Connect: 1 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.2 0 $20.00 $9.14
Efficient EV 47.6 0 $16.67 $7.62
EV Truck/SUV 76.2 0 $26.67 $12.19

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 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 3 days ago

Origin

Chelsea, AL

Afternoon in Chelsea on Sunday

Local time

4:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Montgomery, AL

Afternoon in Montgomery on Sunday

Local time

4:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

84°F

Hoover, AL

95 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

3 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 34m 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 Chelsea, AL to Montgomery, AL covers 190.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 565, Drake Avenue Southwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.2 miles from Chelsea, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.12 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 190.5 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 19.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Chelsea, AL and Montgomery, AL, road signs point toward Nashville and Fultondale.

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