The drive from Florence, AL to Brent, AL covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 23m 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, Heroes Highway, I 20 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.1 miles on University of North Alabama Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.16 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
83.3 miles from Florence, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Florence, AL to Brent, AL covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 23m, 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 24 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 55.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 166.6 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 10.7 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
8
109.8 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
110.4 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
110.9 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
8
142.3 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|US 11; AL 5
Take the exit onto US 11; AL 5 toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, Centreville
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 97
Toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, C...
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 Brent, AL, road signs point toward Moulton, Cullman, Fultondale, Montgomery and Centreville.
Moulton
10.7 mi in|~16m|via AL 157
Cullman
10.7 mi in|~16m|via AL 157
Fultondale
109.8 mi in|~2h 10m
Montgomery
110.9 mi in|~2h 11m
Centreville
142.3 mi in|~2h 47m|via US 11; AL 5
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi
1h 5m
Heroes Highway
43.8 mi
46m
I 20
26.9 mi
29m
State Route 5
18.9 mi
26m
Wheeler Highway
4.3 mi
5m
I 65
3.7 mi
4m
US 11
3.5 mi
5m
Woodward Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
University of North Alabama Highway
— 55.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, AL and Brent, 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, CullmanUse the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I-65 South: Birmingham
9
Merge onto I 65
44 mi·46 min·Heroes Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 261CToward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
15
Merge onto I 20; I 59
27 mi·29 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 11; AL 5
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 11; AL 5
Exit 97Toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, CentrevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 11; AL 5
3.2 mi·5 min·US 11; AL 5
18
Turn left onto AL 5
19 mi·26 min·State Route 5
Use the straight lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto CR 58
301 ft·10 sec·University Way
20
Continue on CR 58
1.2 mi·2 min·University Way
21
Turn sharp right onto AL 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
22
Turn right
54 ft·9 sec
23
Turn left
169 ft·12 sec
24
Arrive at destination
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 83.3 miles from Florence, AL, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.3 miles or 1h 41m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brent, 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 166.6 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.3 mi from Florence, AL
· 1h 41m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.3 miles from Florence, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brent, AL
The final approach into Brent, 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 Brent, 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 114.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.16 one way
$50.32 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$27.62
$55.24
premium
$4.56
$29.90
$59.81
diesel
$5.61
$36.78
$73.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50
0
$17.49
$8.00
Efficient EV
41.7
0
$14.58
$6.66
EV Truck/SUV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 5 days ago
Origin
Florence, AL
Evening
in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brent, AL
Evening
in Brent on Tuesday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Hayden, AL
83 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
37 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
3h 23m 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 Brent, AL covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University of North Alabama Highway, Heroes Highway, I 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.3 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 $25.16 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 20 significant decision points across 166.6 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 10.7 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Florence, AL and Brent, AL, road signs point toward Moulton, Cullman, Fultondale, Montgomery and Centreville.
