Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Gadsden, AL to East Florence, AL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

121.6 mi

196 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 31m ★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 36m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama

Gadsden, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown East Florence, AL, AL

East Florence, AL

Efrem Efre

Trip Overview

The drive from Gadsden, AL to East Florence, AL covers 121.6 miles and takes about 2h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on AL 157, Thompson Bridge Road, AL 133 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.5 miles on AL 157. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.36 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

60.8 miles from Gadsden, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 121.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (62%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 41m highway drive covering 121.6 miles, with most of the trip on AL 157 and Thompson Bridge Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.5 miles on AL 157.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
AL 157 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 157 and Thompson Bridge Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 278; US 431 / West Meighan Boulevard.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 41m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 278; US 431 / West Meighan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles (US 278): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.6 miles (AL 157): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 278; US 431 / West Meighan Boulevard

Turn left onto US 278; US 431 / West Meighan Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
7.5 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 278

Turn left onto US 278

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
49.6 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | AL 157

Turn right onto AL 157

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
113.3 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | AL 133; AL 157

Turn right onto AL 133; AL 157

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
121.2 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | CR 32 / Huntsville Road

Turn right onto CR 32 / Huntsville Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
AL 157 61.5 mi 1h 15m
Thompson Bridge Road 37.6 mi 52m
AL 133 7.9 mi 11m
US 278 6.3 mi 8m
West Meighan Boulevard 3.7 mi 6m
Wheeler Highway 2.1 mi 2m
5th Avenue Northeast 1.4 mi 3m
4th Street Northwest 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: AL 157 — 61.5 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South 6th Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South 6th Street
2

Turn left onto US 278; US 431

3.7 mi · 6 min · West Meighan Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on US 278; US 431

1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
4

Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest

0.5 mi · 50 sec · 4th Street Northwest
5

Turn slight right onto US 278; US 431

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 278; US 431
Use the right lane.
6

Turn left onto US 278

2.9 mi · 4 min · US 278
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on US 278

516 ft · 8 sec · Thompson Bridge Road
8

Continue on US 278

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 278
9

Continue on US 278

37 mi · 52 min · Thompson Bridge Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10

Turn right onto AL 157

62 mi · 1 hr 15 min · AL 157
Use the straight lane.
11

Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157

2.1 mi · 2 min · Wheeler Highway
12

Turn right onto AL 133; AL 157

7.9 mi · 11 min · AL 133; AL 157
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13

Turn right onto CR 32

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Huntsville Road
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto Midway Street

60 ft · 2 sec · Midway Street
15

Arrive at destination

Midway Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.8 miles from Gadsden, AL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 27 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.8 miles or 1h 25m 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 12m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, AL

This is one driving day of about 121.6 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Gadsden, 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 AL 157 for about 61.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.8 mi from Gadsden, AL · 1h 25m into the drive

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cullman, AL

61 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

Blountsville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cullman, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.8 miles from Gadsden, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before AL 157 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 miles.

Arriving in East Florence, AL

The final approach into East Florence, 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 East Florence, AL.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Alamitos Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cullman, Alabama

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.1

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12567348020

Visit website

El Tapatio II Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gadsden, Alabama

2.1 mi

Red Lobster

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gadsden, Alabama

2.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Toasty Cafe & Health Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Florence, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 121.6

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12563492283

Café de Frida

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Florence, Alabama

1.8 mi

Alamitos Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.1

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12567348020

Visit website

El Tapatio II Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12565466088

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12565432086

Visit website

Viva coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Rainbow City, Alabama

Hours: 5:30 am–5 pm

+12564594578

Visit website

Hardee's

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.7

Attalla, Alabama

Hours: 4 am–10 pm

+12565380107

Visit website

Toasty Cafe & Health Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 121.6

Florence, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12563492283

Café de Frida

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.6

Florence, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12562753601

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 52.1

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 52.1

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 8.7

Gadsden, Alabama

+12565382100

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 52.1

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 52.1

Cullman, AL

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 52.1

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Imagination Place

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–1 pm

+12565432787

Visit website

Ave Maria Grotto

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 52.1

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12567344110

Visit website

Noccalula Falls Park & Campground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

+12565494663

Visit website

Noccalula Falls

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+12565494663

Visit website

Sportsman Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 52.1

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12567343052

Visit website

McFarland Park Shoalsfest

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 121.6

Florence, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12567408817

Visit website

WildWater Cullman

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 52.1

Cullman, Alabama

+18338389453

Visit website

The Factory

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 3–9 pm

+12563128974

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.36 one way

$36.73 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $20.16 $40.32
premium $4.56 $21.83 $43.65
diesel $5.61 $26.85 $53.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.5 0 $12.77 $5.84
Efficient EV 30.4 0 $10.64 $4.86
EV Truck/SUV 48.6 0 $17.02 $7.78

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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

Gadsden, AL

Night in Gadsden on Friday

Local time

10:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Florence, AL

Night in East Florence on Friday

Local time

10:55 PM

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 41m 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 Gadsden, AL to East Florence, AL covers 121.6 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are AL 157, Thompson Bridge Road, AL 133. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 60.8 miles from Gadsden, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

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 straightforward 2h 41m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 278; US 431 / West Meighan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles (US 278): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.6 miles (AL 157): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Gadsden, AL to East Florence, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From East Florence, AL

Chelsea, AL 135.2 mi · 2h 45m

More from Gadsden, AL

Eufaula, AL 182.5 mi · 4h 14m Tuscaloosa, AL 118.9 mi · 2h 14m Huntsville, AL 73 mi · 1h 43m Fort Payne, AL 38 mi · 47m Guntersville, AL 36 mi · 56m

More trips to East Florence, AL

Tillmans Corner, AL 379.4 mi Montgomery, AL 205.9 mi Anniston, AL 150.9 mi Saks, AL 147.9 mi Clay, AL 124.3 mi
Weekend drives from Gadsden, AL Scenic drives in AL

Explore more options from Gadsden, AL or browse trips ending in East Florence, AL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.