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Trip from Pleasant Grove, AL to Gadsden, AL

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

Drive Time

2h 3m

Distance

104 mi

167 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 54m ★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m

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 Pleasant Grove, AL, AL

Pleasant Grove, AL

Megan Bailey

city in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama

Gadsden, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Pleasant Grove, AL to Gadsden, AL covers 104 miles and takes about 2h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 59, I 65, John M. Harbert III Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44 miles on I 59. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.71 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

52 miles from Pleasant Grove, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 59 44 mi 47m
I 65 18.1 mi 19m
John M. Harbert III Freeway 17.1 mi 18m
US 31 13.1 mi 18m
AL 191 4.3 mi 6m
I 759 2.2 mi 2m
South 11th Street 1.5 mi 2m
Walnut Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 59 — 44 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pleasant Grove, AL and Gadsden, AL.

1

Start on this road

23 ft · 1 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto AL 191

4.3 mi · 6 min · AL 191
3

Turn left onto US 31

13 mi · 18 min · US 31
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
5

Merge onto I 65

18 mi · 19 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 250 Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 459

17 mi · 18 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 33B Toward I 59 North: Gadsden Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 15 sec · this road
Exit 33A Toward I-59 North: Gadsden
11

Merge onto I 59

44 mi · 47 min · I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Exit 182 Toward I 759: Gadsden
13

Continue on I 759

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 759
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 2 Toward Black Creek Parkway
15

Turn slight left onto Black Creek Parkway

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Black Creek Parkway
16

Turn slight right onto South 11th Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · South 11th Street
17

Turn right onto Walnut Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Walnut Street
18

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · South 6th Street
19

Arrive at destination

South 6th Street

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 52 miles from Pleasant Grove, AL, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44 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 23 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52 miles or 1h 3m 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 39m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pleasant Grove, 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 Pleasant Grove, AL

This is one driving day of about 104 miles and 2h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Pleasant Grove, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 44 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Irondale, AL

52 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

Helena, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Trussville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52 miles from Pleasant Grove, 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

Hardee's

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Attalla, Alabama

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.6

Hours: 4 am–10 pm

+12565380107

Visit website

El Tapatio II Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gadsden, Alabama

2.1 mi

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Trussville, Alabama

1.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cala Coffee Cahaba Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.6

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12056321040

Visit website

Church Street Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mountain Brook, Alabama

3 mi

Maple Avenue Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Trussville, Alabama

3 mi

Hardee's

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.6

Attalla, Alabama

Hours: 4 am–10 pm

+12565380107

Visit website

El Tapatio II Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 104

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12565466088

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.4

Trussville, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12056558498

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 104

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12565432086

Visit website

Habaneros Mexican Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.1

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12053267170

Hooters

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Pelham, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+12056829464

Visit website

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 29.7

Pelham, Alabama

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12056634100

Visit website

Chicken Salad Chick

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12055371170

Visit website

Cala Coffee Cahaba Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.6

Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12056321040

Visit website

Church Street Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.6

Mountain Brook, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12058701117

Visit website

Maple Avenue Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 59.4

Trussville, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Galleria Coffee 168

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.1

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12055414348

Nichols Nook Coffee House

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 66.9

Springville, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12054670804

Visit website

Red Bike Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 44.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–3:30 pm

+12052014507

Visit website

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.1

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–4:30 pm

+12057689732

Visit website

Punch Love Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 104

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 104

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 96.6

Gadsden, Alabama

+12565382100

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 89.2

Steele, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.3

Alabaster, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 22.3

Alabaster, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 37.1

Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 52

Leeds, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Imagination Place

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 104

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–1 pm

+12565432787

Visit website

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 14.9

Calera, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+12056683435

Visit website

Aldridge Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 37.1

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+12057396558

Visit website

The Factory

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 96.6

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 3–9 pm

+12563128974

Visit website

Noccalula Falls Park & Campground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 104

Gadsden, Alabama

+12565494663

Visit website

Noccalula Falls

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 104

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+12565494663

Visit website

Cosby Lake Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 59.4

Pinson, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12056801223

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 37.1

Meadowbrook, Alabama

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12054447777

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 17.6 and 53.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
17.6 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
35.7 mi into trip | ~45m in

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

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 250 Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
8
36 mi into trip | ~45m in

Keep slight right 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
5
36.6 mi into trip | ~47m in | I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway

Merge onto I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
53.8 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 59 North: Gadsden

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 33B Toward I 59 North: Gadsden

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.71 one way

$31.41 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $17.24 $34.48
premium $4.56 $18.67 $37.33
diesel $5.61 $22.96 $45.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.2 0 $10.92 $4.99
Efficient EV 26 0 $9.10 $4.16
EV Truck/SUV 41.6 0 $14.56 $6.66

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pleasant Grove, AL

Afternoon in Pleasant Grove on Saturday

Local time

12:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gadsden, AL

Afternoon in Gadsden on Saturday

Local time

12:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 3m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 43
View on nps.gov
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...

26 mi from route ~65 min detour Free near mile 93.3
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

104 mi in 2h 3m, mostly highway — 44 mi of that is on I 59.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44 mi on I 59.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.6 miles in near I 65.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 104 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from Pleasant Grove, AL to Gadsden, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscaloosa along the way.

Tuscaloosa

35.7 mi in | ~45m

About the Cities

Arriving in Gadsden, AL

Full guide →

Gadsden is a city in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama.

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 2h 3m. Total distance: 104 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44 miles on I 59. 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 Gadsden, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Freedom Riders 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 Gadsden, AL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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