The drive from Florence, AL to Jacksonville, AL covers 145.9 miles and takes about 3h 21m 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, AL 204 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 $22.03 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
73 miles from Florence, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 145.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Florence, AL to Jacksonville, AL covers 145.9 miles and takes about 3h 21m, 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 10 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 Effort5/10
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 145.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 10 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 Jacksonville, 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
AL 204
9.6 mi
16m
West Meighan Boulevard
9 mi
15m
Chastain Boulevard East
8.8 mi
10m
Section Line Road
4.4 mi
6m
Wheeler Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Woodward Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
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 Jacksonville, 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
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
8.8 mi·10 min·Chastain Boulevard East
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto AL 204
9.6 mi·16 min·AL 204
22
Turn right onto AL 21
0.9 mi·2 min·Pelham Road North
23
Arrive at destination
AL 21
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 73 miles from Florence, AL, or about 1h 32m 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73 miles or 1h 32m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, 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 145.9 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 73 mi from Florence, AL
· 1h 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 73 miles from Florence, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jacksonville, AL
The final approach into Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, 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
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 140.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.03 one way
$44.07 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$24.19
$48.38
premium
$4.56
$26.19
$52.37
diesel
$5.61
$32.21
$64.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.8
0
$15.32
$7.00
Efficient EV
36.5
0
$12.77
$5.84
EV Truck/SUV
58.4
0
$20.43
$9.34
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Florence, AL
Late night
in Florence on Saturday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, AL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
5:43 AM
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
1 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 21m 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 Jacksonville, AL covers 145.9 miles and takes about 3h 21m 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, AL 204. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73 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 $22.03 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 145.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 Jacksonville, AL, road signs point toward Moulton and Cullman.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Freedom Riders National Monument.
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.
