Origin
Marion, AL
Evening in Marion on Wednesday
Local time
6:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
81.1 mi
131 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Spanning 81.1 miles through the heart of Alabama, this Southeast corridor drive takes approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes to complete. You will navigate a mix of roads including AL 14 and US 80, making this a straightforward journey that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of just $12, it is an economical choice for those looking to connect Marion and Montgomery without the need for an overnight stay. Since both origin and destination are located within the same state and region, you can expect a consistent atmosphere throughout the trip. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, this route provides a reliable and manageable connection between these two Alabama hubs.
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
40.5 miles from Marion, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between local roads and more open stretches. Approximately 49% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a balanced pace that avoids the monotony of a purely interstate route. The most significant portion of your journey is the 34.5-mile stretch across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. As you move along the route, the road character shifts, requiring you to remain alert as you navigate the varying road types. This combination of segments keeps the drive engaging without being overly taxing on the driver.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Marion, AL to Montgomery, AL is easy. At 1h 49m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Marion, AL to Montgomery, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Parkway | — | — |
| Highway 14 | — | — |
| West Highland Avenue | — | — |
| Broad Street | — | — |
| Edmund Pettus Bridge | — | — |
| Fairview Avenue | — | — |
| West Fairview Avenue | — | — |
| Norman Bridge Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, AL and Montgomery, AL.
Start on Jefferson Street
Continue on Martin Luther King Parkway
Continue on Highway 14
Turn right
Turn left onto West Highland Avenue
Turn right onto Broad Street
Continue on Edmund Pettus Bridge
Continue straight
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Fairview Avenue
Turn slight right onto West Fairview Avenue
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Fairview Avenue
Turn left onto Norman Bridge Road
Continue on South Decatur Street
Continue on South Union Street
Arrive at your destination
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing an elaborate itinerary. Since the entire drive takes less than two hours, you likely won't require any formal stops, though keeping your fuel budget of $12 in mind is always a smart planning move. If you prefer a quieter road experience, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours. Take advantage of the route's brevity by planning your arrival in Montgomery for a full afternoon or evening of activity. Pay close attention to the transitions between AL 14 and US 80, as these changes in road signage are the most important navigational moments of your trip.
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.
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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.5 miles or 54m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montgomery, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Marion, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marion, AL
This is one driving day of about 81.1 miles and 1h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.5 mi from Marion, AL · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 40.5 miles from Marion, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Montgomery, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.25 one way
$24.50 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.45 | $26.89 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.56 | $29.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.91 | $35.81 |
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: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.52 | $3.89 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.10 | $3.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.35 | $5.19 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Marion on Wednesday
Local time
6:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Montgomery on Wednesday
Local time
6:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
79°F
Selma, AL
41 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Marion, AL or browse trips ending in Montgomery, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Marion, AL or Montgomery, AL on MapSof.net.