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Trip from Florence, AL to Alexandria, AL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 11m

Distance

141.8 mi

228 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
2h 59m ★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 4m

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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city and county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States

Florence, AL

Wikimedia Commons

unincorporated census-designated place in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States

Alexandria, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Florence, AL to Alexandria, AL covers 141.8 miles and takes about 3h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on University of North Alabama Highway, US 278, Chastain Boulevard East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.2 miles on University of North Alabama Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.42 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

70.9 miles from Florence, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 141.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Florence, AL to Alexandria, AL covers 141.8 miles and takes about 3h 11m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
University of North Alabama Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 55.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Crest Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.5 miles (Crest Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20 / Woodward Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

4
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | Crest Street

Turn left onto Crest Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17

Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17

Navigation decision point

4
2 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20 / Woodward Avenue

Turn left onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20 / Woodward Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
10.7 mi into trip | ~16m in | AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway toward Moulton, Cullman

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Moulton, Cullman
6
116.4 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | 5th Avenue Northwest

Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Florence, AL and Alexandria, AL, road signs point toward Moulton and Cullman.

Moulton

10.7 mi in | ~16m | via AL 157

Cullman

10.7 mi in | ~16m | via AL 157

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
University of North Alabama Highway 55.2 mi 1h 5m
US 278 43.8 mi 1h
Chastain Boulevard East 13.8 mi 16m
West Meighan Boulevard 9 mi 15m
Section Line Road 4.4 mi 6m
Wheeler Highway 4.3 mi 5m
Woodward Avenue 3.2 mi 5m
US 43 2.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: University of North Alabama Highway — 55.2 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Florence, AL and Alexandria, AL.

1

Start on North Pine Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Pine Street
2

Turn left onto Crest Street

131 ft · 11 sec · Crest Street
3

Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
4

Turn left onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20

3.2 mi · 5 min · Woodward Avenue
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Use the straight lane.
6

Turn left onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20

4.3 mi · 5 min · Wheeler Highway
Use the left lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto AL 157

55 mi · 1 hr 5 min · University of North Alabama Highway
Toward Moulton, Cullman Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Continue on AL 157

4.4 mi · 6 min · Section Line Road
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on AL 157

1.8 mi · 2 min · AL 157
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn left onto US 278

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 278
Use the left lane.
11

Continue on US 278

16 mi · 22 min · US 278
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on US 278

19 mi · 27 min · US 278
Use the left lane.
13

Continue on US 278

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 278
14

Continue on US 278

516 ft · 8 sec · Thompson Bridge Road
15

Continue on US 278

2.9 mi · 4 min · US 278
16

Turn right onto US 278; US 431

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 278; US 431
17

Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest

0.5 mi · 53 sec · 4th Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest

1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northwest
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on US 278; US 431

9.0 mi · 15 min · West Meighan Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Continue on US 431

14 mi · 16 min · Chastain Boulevard East
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn left onto CR 73

0.6 mi · 1 min · Post Oak Road
22

Turn right onto Stadium Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · Stadium Drive
23

Arrive at destination

Stadium Drive

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 70.9 miles from Florence, AL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.2 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 31 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.9 miles or 1h 30m 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 33m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, AL

This is one driving day of about 141.8 miles and 3h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Florence, 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 University of North Alabama Highway for about 55.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 70.9 mi from Florence, AL · 1h 30m into the drive

town in Blount County, Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Blountsville, AL

71 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

Moulton, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cullman, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.9 miles from Florence, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Alexandria, AL

The final approach into Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, AL.

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.

Freedom Riders National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 141.8
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.42 one way

$42.83 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $23.51 $47.02
premium $4.56 $25.45 $50.90
diesel $5.61 $31.31 $62.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Tesla Destination Charger

Gadsden, Alabama

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Gadsden, Alabama

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Gadsden, Alabama

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Cullman, Alabama

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Cullman, Alabama

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tuscumbia, Alabama

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Cullman, Alabama

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Cullman, Alabama

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 8 Other: 6 Tesla Destination: 3 Tesla: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.5 0 $14.89 $6.81
Efficient EV 35.5 0 $12.41 $5.67
EV Truck/SUV 56.7 0 $19.85 $9.08

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 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

Florence, AL

Afternoon in Florence on Thursday

Local time

12:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alexandria, AL

Afternoon in Alexandria on Thursday

Local time

12:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°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

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 11m 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 Florence, AL to Alexandria, AL covers 141.8 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University of North Alabama Highway, US 278, Chastain Boulevard East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.9 miles from Florence, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.42 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.5 miles (Crest Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20 / Woodward Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Florence, AL and Alexandria, AL, road signs point toward Moulton and Cullman.

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