Origin
Gadsden, AL
Night in Gadsden on Tuesday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gadsden, AL to Fairfield, AL
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
68.8 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 33m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gadsden, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Fairfield, AL
Taryn Elliott
Trip Overview
The drive from Gadsden, AL to Fairfield, AL covers 68.8 miles and takes about 1h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 59, I 759, South 11th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.9 miles on I 59. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.39 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
34.4 miles from Gadsden, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 20m highway drive covering 68.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 59 and I 759. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.9 miles on I 59.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and I 759. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.8 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 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga
7
5.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Birmingham
5
5.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 59
Merge onto I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
67.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward Avenue I
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 119B
Toward Avenue I
4
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
Farrell Avenue
Turn right onto Farrell Avenue
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gadsden, AL to Fairfield, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Birmingham
5.1 mi in
|
~8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 61.9 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 759 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| South 11th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Walnut Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Valley Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Avenue I | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Black Creek Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 6th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 61.9 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gadsden, AL and Fairfield, AL.
1
Start on South 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto Walnut Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
3
Turn left onto South 11th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South 11th Street
4
Turn left onto Black Creek Parkway
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Black Creek Parkway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 759
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 759
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Birmingham
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 59
62 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 59
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 119B
Toward Avenue I
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight
167 ft
·
6 sec
11
Turn left onto Avenue I
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Avenue I
12
Continue on Valley Road
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Valley Road
13
Turn left onto Parkway
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Parkway
14
Turn slight left onto Hillside Drive
279 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hillside Drive
15
Turn right onto Farrell Avenue
366 ft
·
18 sec
·
Farrell Avenue
16
Turn right onto 52nd Street
165 ft
·
7 sec
·
52nd Street
17
Arrive at destination
52nd 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.4 miles from Gadsden, AL, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.9 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 68.8 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.4 miles or 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 1h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 68.8 miles and 1h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gadsden, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 61.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.4 mi from Gadsden, AL · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Gadsden, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.9 miles.
Arriving in Fairfield, AL
The final approach into Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.39 one way
$20.78 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $11.41 | $22.81 |
| premium | $4.56 | $12.35 | $24.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.19 | $30.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Fairfield, AL
Night in Fairfield on Tuesday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Oneonta, AL
34 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 20m 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 Fairfield, AL covers 68.8 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, I 759, South 11th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.4 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 $10.39 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.8 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 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Gadsden, AL to Fairfield, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
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