The drive from Talladega, AL to Florence, AL covers 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 23m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on University of North Alabama Highway, I 65, I 20 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.4 miles on University of North Alabama Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.18 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
83.4 miles from Talladega, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 166.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Talladega, AL to Florence, AL covers 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 23m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
University of North Alabama Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 55.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 166.7 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 11.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.6 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the ramp toward I-20 West: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-20 West: Birmingham
7
51.3 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 128
Toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street
8
51.6 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AL 79 North: Tallapoosa Street North, Tarrant
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward AL 79 North: Tallapoosa Street North, Ta...
6
53.8 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|Erwin Dairy Road
At end of road, turn right onto Erwin Dairy Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
55.3 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|US 31 / Decatur Highway
Turn sharp right onto US 31 / Decatur Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Talladega, AL and Florence, AL, road signs point toward Tarrant and Moulton.
Tarrant
51.6 mi in|~1h 2m
Moulton
100.5 mi in|~2h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University of North Alabama Highway
55.4 mi
1h 6m
I 65
43.9 mi
46m
I 20
39.5 mi
44m
AL 77
9.9 mi
14m
Woodward Avenue
4.2 mi
7m
Wheeler Highway
4.2 mi
5m
US 43
1.8 mi
3m
Vanderbilt Road
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
University of North Alabama Highway
— 55.4 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Talladega, AL and Florence, AL.
1
Start on North Spring Street
456 ft·21 sec·North Spring Street
2
Turn right onto Coosa Street West
0.2 mi·42 sec·Coosa Street West
3
Turn left onto North East Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North East Street
4
Turn left
0.8 mi·58 sec
5
Continue on AL 77
9.9 mi·14 min·AL 77
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I-20 West: BirminghamUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 20
39 mi·44 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 128Toward AL 79: Tallapoosa StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
324 ft·7 sec
Toward AL 79 North: Tallapoosa Street North, TarrantUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on AL 79
0.3 mi·36 sec·Tallapoosa Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on AL 79
1.4 mi·2 min·Vanderbilt Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto Cedar Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Cedar Street
Use the left lane.
13
At end of road, turn right onto Erwin Dairy Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Erwin Dairy Road
Use the left / right lanes.
14
Continue on 47th Avenue North
0.6 mi·1 min·47th Avenue North
15
Turn sharp right onto US 31
0.9 mi·1 min·Decatur Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 65 North: HuntsvilleUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 65
44 mi·46 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 310Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
19
Turn left onto AL 157
200 ft·3 sec·Section Line Road
20
Continue on AL 157
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·University of North Alabama Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157
4.2 mi·5 min·Wheeler Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
4.2 mi·7 min·Woodward Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
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.
24
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
437 ft·15 sec·West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto South Pine Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Pine Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Pine Street
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 83.4 miles from Talladega, AL, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 1h 42m 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 43m
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 Talladega, 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 Talladega, AL
This is one driving day of about 166.7 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Talladega, 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 University of North Alabama Highway for about 55.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.4 mi from Talladega, AL
· 1h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 85.3 miles from Talladega, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Florence, AL
The final approach into Florence, 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 Florence, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 11.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.18 one way
$50.35 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$27.64
$55.27
premium
$4.56
$29.92
$59.84
diesel
$5.61
$36.81
$73.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
Efficient EV
41.7
0
$14.59
$6.67
EV Truck/SUV
66.7
0
$23.34
$10.67
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Talladega, AL
Afternoon
in Talladega on Thursday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Florence, AL
Afternoon
in Florence on Thursday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Hayden, AL
83 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
1 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 23m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Talladega, AL to Florence, AL covers 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University of North Alabama Highway, I 65, I 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.4 miles from Talladega, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.18 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 166.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Talladega, AL and Florence, AL, road signs point toward Tarrant and Moulton.
