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Trip from Montgomery, AL to Ardmore, AL

Drive Time

3h 39m

Distance

197.8 mi

318 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 27m ★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m

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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Downtown Ardmore, AL, AL

Ardmore, AL

Maximiliana Eligi Mtenga

Trip Overview

The drive from Montgomery, AL to Ardmore, AL covers 197.8 miles and takes about 3h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, 7th Street, East South Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 193.1 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.24 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

98.9 miles from Montgomery, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 39m highway drive covering 197.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and 7th Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 193.1 miles on I 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 193.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

889 ft 237 ft

Total Climb

1,460 ft

Total Descent

823 ft

Highest Point

889 ft

~140.1 mi in

Elevation Range

651 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and 7th Street. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East South Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 197.8 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 0.1 miles (East South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.5 miles (I 65; US 82): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East South Street

Turn left onto East South Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
5
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 65; US 82

Merge onto I 65; US 82

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
194.9 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 53: Ardmore

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 365 Toward 53: Ardmore
6
197.7 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in | TN 7 / Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto TN 7 / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 193.1 mi 3h 30m
7th Street 2 mi 3m
East South Street 0.5 mi 1m
Ardmore Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
I 85 0.4 mi <1m
6th Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Union Street 0.1 mi <1m
1st Avenue West <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 193.1 mi, about 3h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery, AL and Ardmore, AL.

1

Start on South Union Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South Union Street
2

Turn left onto East South Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East South Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
4

Merge onto I 85

0.4 mi · 34 sec · I 85
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
6

Merge onto I 65; US 82

193 mi · 3 hr 30 min · I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 365 Toward 53: Ardmore
8

Keep slight right at fork

153 ft · 2 sec
Exit 365 Toward 53: Ardmore
9

Turn slight right onto AL 53

2.0 mi · 3 min · 7th Street
10

Turn left onto AL 53

427 ft · 8 sec · 1st Avenue West
11

Turn right onto AL 53

0.3 mi · 34 sec · 6th Street
12

Turn left onto AL 53

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ardmore Avenue
13

At end of road, turn left onto TN 7

137 ft · 4 sec · Main Street
Use the left lane.
14

Arrive at destination

TN 7

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 98.9 miles from Montgomery, AL, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.1 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98.9 miles or 1h 49m 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 58m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, AL

This is one driving day of about 197.8 miles and 3h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Montgomery, 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 I 65 for about 193.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 98.9 mi from Montgomery, AL · 1h 49m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hoover, AL

99 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.

Popular next leg

Hoover, AL to Ardmore, AL

116.8 mi · 2h 12m

Pacing Suggestions

Columbiana, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hoover, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.9 miles from Montgomery, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 193.1 miles.

Arriving in Ardmore, AL

The final approach into Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, AL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.24 one way

$60.48 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $33.17 $66.33
premium $4.61 $35.90 $71.80
diesel $5.64 $43.94 $87.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 69.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59.3 0 $20.77 $9.49
Efficient EV 49.5 0 $17.31 $7.91
EV Truck/SUV 79.1 0 $27.69 $12.66

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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 data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Montgomery, AL

Afternoon in Montgomery on Sunday

Local time

4:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

88°F

Sunny

SE 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 3:14AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 10:01PM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

Destination

Ardmore, AL

Afternoon in Ardmore on Sunday

Local time

4:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 3:14AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 10:01PM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

Along the Route

84°F

Hoover, AL

99 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

5 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

3h 39m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Montgomery, AL to Ardmore, AL covers 197.8 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, 7th Street, East South 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 98.9 miles from Montgomery, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.24 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 197.8 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 0.1 miles (East South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.5 miles (I 65; US 82): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Montgomery, AL to Ardmore, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 237 ft to 889 ft elevation with about 1,460 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Ardmore, AL to Montgomery, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

198 mi 3h 40m

Continue From Ardmore, AL

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