The drive from Orange Beach, AL to Florence, AL covers 394.2 miles and takes about 7h 40m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, University of North Alabama Highway, AL 59 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 271.7 miles on I 65.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.53 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
197.1 miles from Orange Beach, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 40m. Total distance: 394.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 40m highway drive covering 394.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and University of North Alabama Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 271.7 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 19 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 271.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and University of North Alabama Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Canal Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 394.2 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 0.1 miles (Canal Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Canal Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 56.3 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Canal Road
At end of road, turn right onto Canal Road
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|Canal Road
Enter roundabout onto Canal Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
56.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
328 mi into trip|~6h 17m in
Take the exit toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 310
Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
6
393.9 mi into trip|~7h 39m in|West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Orange Beach, AL to Florence, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Moulton along the way.
Moulton
328 mi in|~6h 17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
271.7 mi
4h 55m
University of North Alabama Highway
55.4 mi
1h 6m
AL 59
34.4 mi
49m
Foley Beach Expressway
13.9 mi
19m
Woodward Avenue
4.2 mi
7m
Wheeler Highway
4.2 mi
5m
Rabun Road
4.2 mi
6m
Canal Road
3.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 271.7 mi, about 4h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange Beach, AL and Florence, AL.
1
Start on Bay Circle
0.1 mi·36 sec·Bay Circle
2
At end of road, turn right onto Canal Road
0.2 mi·19 sec·Canal Road
3
Enter roundabout onto Canal Road
125 ft·2 sec·Canal Road
4
Continue on Canal Road
3.2 mi·5 min·Canal Road
5
Turn right onto AL 161
14 mi·19 min·Foley Beach Expressway
6
Turn slight right
515 ft·8 sec
7
Turn straight onto AL 59
34 mi·49 min·AL 59
8
Continue on AL 287
4.2 mi·6 min·Rabun Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
10
Merge onto I 65
272 mi·4 hr 55 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 310Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
12
Turn left onto AL 157
200 ft·3 sec·Section Line Road
13
Continue on AL 157
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·University of North Alabama Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157
4.2 mi·5 min·Wheeler Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
4.2 mi·7 min·Woodward Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
1.8 mi·3 min·US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
437 ft·15 sec·West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto South Pine Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Pine Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Pine Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197.1 miles from Orange Beach, AL, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 271.7 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 87 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.1 miles or 3h 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 6h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Orange Beach, AL
This is one driving day of about 394.2 miles and 7h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Orange Beach, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 271.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 197.1 mi from Orange Beach, AL
· 3h 54m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 271.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.53 one way
$119.07 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$65.35
$130.71
premium
$4.56
$70.75
$141.51
diesel
$5.61
$87.03
$174.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.3
1
$41.39
$18.92
Efficient EV
98.6
1
$34.49
$15.77
EV Truck/SUV
157.7
1
$55.19
$25.23
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Orange Beach, AL
Late night
in Orange Beach on Friday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Florence, AL
Late night
in Florence on Friday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog
S 0 to 5 mph34% chanceLive 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
6 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
7h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Orange Beach, AL to Florence, AL covers 394.2 miles and takes about 7h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, University of North Alabama Highway, AL 59. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 197.1 miles from Orange Beach, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 394.2 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 0.1 miles (Canal Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Canal Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 56.3 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Orange Beach, AL to Florence, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Moulton along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
