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Drive Time
5h
Distance
257.8 mi
415 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Orange Beach, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Alabaster, AL
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Orange Beach, AL to Alabaster, AL covers 257.8 miles and takes about 5h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, AL 59, Foley Beach Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 199.9 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.93 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.9 miles from Orange Beach, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
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This is a 5h highway drive covering 257.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and AL 59. The longest continuous stretch is about 199.9 miles on I 65.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and AL 59. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Canal Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Canal Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Canal Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.6 miles (AL 161 / Foley Beach Expressway): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto Canal Road
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto Canal Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto AL 161 / Foley Beach Expressway
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 199.9 mi | 3h 35m |
| AL 59 | 34.4 mi | 49m |
| Foley Beach Expressway | 13.9 mi | 19m |
| Rabun Road | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Canal Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| 1st Street South | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Bay Circle | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Orange Beach, AL and Alabaster, AL.
Start on Bay Circle
At end of road, turn right onto Canal Road
Enter roundabout onto Canal Road
Continue on Canal Road
Turn right onto AL 161
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto AL 59
Continue on AL 287
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto US 31
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.9 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alabaster, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Orange Beach, 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 Orange Beach, AL
This is one driving day of about 257.8 miles and 5h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.9 mi from Orange Beach, AL · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 128.9 miles from Orange Beach, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 199.9 miles.
The final approach into Alabaster, 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 Alabaster, 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.
Regular Gas
$38.93 one way
$77.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $42.74 | $85.48 |
| premium | $4.56 | $46.27 | $92.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.92 | $113.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.07 | $12.37 |
| Efficient EV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.56 | $10.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.1 | 1 | $36.09 | $16.50 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night in Orange Beach on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Alabaster on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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