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Trip from Hoover, AL to Jacksonville, AL

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

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

81.4 mi

131 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 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
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city in Alabama, United States

Jacksonville, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Hoover, AL to Jacksonville, AL covers 81.4 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 20, John M. Harbert III Freeway, McClellan Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.9 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.29 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.

Midpoint

40.7 miles from Hoover, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 47.9 mi 51m
John M. Harbert III Freeway 13 mi 13m
McClellan Boulevard 7 mi 10m
AL 21 5.2 mi 10m
Pelham Road South 4 mi 5m
I 65 1.4 mi 1m
Montgomery Highway 0.2 mi <1m
Deo Dara Drive 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 47.9 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hoover, AL and Jacksonville, AL.

1

Start on Whispering Pines Circle

150 ft · 8 sec · Whispering Pines Circle
2

Turn right onto Deo Dara Drive

0.2 mi · 54 sec · Deo Dara Drive
3

Turn left onto Old Columbiana Road

50 ft · 4 sec · Old Columbiana Road
4

Turn right

260 ft · 24 sec
5

Turn left

258 ft · 19 sec
6

At end of road, turn right

153 ft · 11 sec
7

Turn slight left

66 ft · 5 sec
8

Turn left onto US 31

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Montgomery Highway
9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
10

Merge onto I 65

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 65
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 250 Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 459

13 mi · 13 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 29 Toward I 20: Birmingham, Atlanta Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 East: Atlanta Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 20

48 mi · 51 min · I 20
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 185 Toward AL 21: Oxford, Anniston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn left onto AL 21

5.2 mi · 10 min · AL 21
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on AL 21

7.0 mi · 10 min · McClellan Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on AL 21

4.0 mi · 5 min · Pelham Road South
21

Turn left onto AL 21

228 ft · 6 sec · Public Square West
22

Arrive at destination

AL 21

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 40.7 miles from Hoover, AL, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.9 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 18 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.7 miles or 47m 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 21m

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 Hoover, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hoover, AL

This is one driving day of about 81.4 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Hoover, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 47.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pell City, AL

41 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

Trussville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pell City, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.7 miles from Hoover, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Burger King

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Anniston, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 69.8

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+12562374161

Visit website

Habaneros Mexican Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hoover, Alabama

1.3 mi

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Anniston, Alabama

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hoover, Alabama

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–4:30 pm

+12057689732

Visit website

Galleria Coffee 168

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hoover, Alabama

1.8 mi

Cala Coffee Cahaba Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vestavia Hills, Alabama

2.7 mi

Burger King

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 69.8

Anniston, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+12562374161

Visit website

Habaneros Mexican Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12053267170

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.6

Anniston, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12568470030

Visit website

Panda Express

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Hoover, AL

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12054032879

Visit website

Seeds Coffee Co. - Homewood

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12052596405

Visit website

Chicken Salad Chick

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 17.4

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12055371170

Visit website

Shiki Birmingham

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 5.8

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12057835222

Visit website

Johnny's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.8

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+12058022711

Visit website

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–4:30 pm

+12057689732

Visit website

Galleria Coffee 168

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12055414348

Cala Coffee Cahaba Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.8

Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12056321040

Visit website

Church Street Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 11.6

Mountain Brook, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12058701117

Visit website

Red Bike Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 11.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–3:30 pm

+12052014507

Visit website

Bullet Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.8

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 5:30 am–8 pm

+12058488070

Daily Edition

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12055278007

Punch Love Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 11.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 46.5

Lincoln, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12057632225

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 69.8

Anniston, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 64

Oxford, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 17.4

Leeds, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 17.4

Leeds, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 40.7

Pell City, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

RaceTrac Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 64

Oxford, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12568312982

Visit website

Aldridge Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+12057396558

Visit website

Combat Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 52.3

Eastaboga, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12566006230

Visit website

Moss Rock Preserve

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Hoover, Alabama

+12057397141

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 5.8

Meadowbrook, Alabama

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12054447777

Visit website

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 11.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12054143950

Visit website

Let's Play Hoover

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Hoover, Alabama

+12057188993

Visit website

Breakout Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 5.8

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 9:45 am–10:30 pm

+12052824798

Visit website

Birmingham Zoo

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 11.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12058790409

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 65 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 250 Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
8
2.5 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
8
16.3 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 20: Birmingham, Atlanta

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 29 Toward I 20: Birmingham, Atlanta
7
16.5 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East: Atlanta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 20 East: Atlanta
8
65 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in

Take the exit toward AL 21: Oxford, Anniston

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 185 Toward AL 21: Oxford, Anniston

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.29 one way

$24.59 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $13.50 $26.99
premium $4.56 $14.61 $29.22
diesel $5.61 $17.97 $35.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.4 0 $8.55 $3.91
Efficient EV 20.4 0 $7.12 $3.26
EV Truck/SUV 32.6 0 $11.40 $5.21

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (64% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Hoover, AL

Afternoon in Hoover on Saturday

Local time

3:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jacksonville, AL

Afternoon in Jacksonville on Saturday

Local time

3:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 0% chance 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

14 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

1h 40m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 61.8
View on nps.gov
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 11.2
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

81.4 mi in 1h 40m, mostly highway — 47.9 mi of that is on I 20.

83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.9 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Hoover, AL and Jacksonville, AL, road signs point toward Atlanta and Anniston.

Atlanta

16.3 mi in | ~20m

Anniston

65 mi in | ~1h 13m

About the Cities

Starting in Hoover, AL

Full guide →

Hoover is a city in the Birmingham urban area in Metropolitan Alabama, south of central Birmingham. While most nearby attractions in the area are in the city of Birmingham, Hoover is an important shopping/retail area.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 81.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 47.9 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Jacksonville, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument and Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jacksonville, AL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Jacksonville, AL to Hoover, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

81.5 mi 1h 39m

Continue From Jacksonville, AL

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