Gadsden, AL Road Trips
Gadsden, AL serves as a quiet starting point in the Southeast, connecting drivers to 1 outbound routes across the area. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 215-mile quick runs to 215-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Gadsden, AL head south, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
8
Longest Drive
321.8 mi
Foley, AL
Quickest Drive
4h 18m
Ozark, AL
Plan Around Gadsden, AL
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Gadsden, AL is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Gadsden, AL
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Gadsden, AL
Driving from Gadsden, AL
On average, trips departing from Gadsden, AL run 215 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 41m. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 215 miles (4h 41m), while the shortest is just 215 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from Gadsden, AL are Opp, AL (215.4 mi, 4h 41m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 215-mile drive from Gadsden, AL, expect to burn about 8.5 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 1 mapped routes leaving Gadsden, AL and 7 routes heading into Gadsden, AL, covering 8 total connections. Distances range from 215 to 215 miles.
The longest mapped route from Gadsden, AL covers 215 miles and takes approximately 4h 41m. Shorter options start at just 215 miles.
The average route from Gadsden, AL runs about 215 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 41m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Gadsden, AL include Opp, AL. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Gadsden, AL by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
33,617
Median Income
$38,699
Median Home Value
$101,900
Median Age
39.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Gadsden, AL at a Glance
Founded
1867
Elevation
541 ft
Area
38 mi²
Notable People from Gadsden, AL
A sampling of people born in Gadsden, AL.
Yelawolf
1979
American rapper
Beth Grant
1949
American actress
Roy Moore
1947
American jurist and politician (born 1947)
Sunny Mabrey
1975
American actress, model and comedian
Mathew Knowles
1952
American music executive, businessman, record producer, and manager
Charles Clyde Ebbets
1905–1978
American photographer (1905–1978)
Phillip Alford
1948
American actor
Bassett Maguire
1904–1991
U.S. botanist (1904–1991)
James Allen
1912–1978
Democratic U.S. Senator from Alabama
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Gadsden, AL.
United States Post Office
historic government building in Gadsden, Alabama
Mort Glosser Amphitheater
open-air theatre in Gadsden, Alabama, United States
Eleventh Street School
historic school building in Gadsden, Alabama, USA
Alabama City Wall Street Historic District
historic district in Gadsden, Alabama, USA
Forrest Cemetery Chapel and Comfort Station
historic site in Etowah County, Alabama
Gadsden Downtown Historic District
historic district in Gadsden, Alabama
Charles Gunn House
historic house in Alabama, United States
Gadsden Times-News Building
City data from Wikidata (Q79389), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Gadsden, AL
Gadsden is a city in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama.
Gadsden was settled in the early 1800s. It has prospered over the years through riverboat commerce, steel production, railways, and agriculture. Though the industry slumped in the late 1980s, and then moreso with the departure of Goodyear, the city was awarded the All-America City Award in 1991 for tackling community-wide challenges. The population in 2019 was about 35,000.
1 Gadsden Museum of Art, 515 Broad St, ☏ +1 256 543-2787. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. Here is where Gadsden tries to get cultural, with art and history exhibits. Attached is the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts with an Imagine Place, performing arts, and more exhibits. (updated Oct 2021)
1 Noccalula Falls Park, 1500 Noccalula Rd, ☏ +1 256-549-4663. Pristine falls on Black Creek imbued with a Cherokee legend give the park its namesake at the top of Lookout Mountain, but also you'll find here a pioneer village near the top of the falls, a gift shop, hiking trails, and a campground. (updated Sep 2019) 2 Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge (also within Noccalula Falls Park). Restored covered bridge, moved from nearby to present location. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Riverwalk City Park. Try this out for some riverside views of the Coosa River and Gadsden skyline behind. (updated Oct 2021) 4 James D. Martin Wildlife Park, 998 S 6th St, ☏ +1 256 549-4500. Another venue for the outdoor enthusiast, this one in the backwaters riverine environment of the Coosa River, with boardwalks and trails. (updated Oct 2021)
1 Gadsden Inn & Suites, 200 N Albert Rains Blvd, ☏ +1 800 637-5678. Cheery hotel down by the river where you can lounge around the waterfall-draped pool or hang out on the balcony. $89. (updated Oct 2021) 2 River Rocks Landing, 1 River Rd, ☏ +1 256 543-7111. This place offers you a chance to stay in a tiny home along the Coosa River. Has three swimming pools and boat docks. (updated Oct 2021)
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, 5900 Airport Highway, ☏ +1-205-595-0533. The closest major airport. Northeast Alabama Regional Airport, 185 Ira Gray Dr, ☏ +1-256-442-3313. The closest airport. You can only take the Amtrak as far as the 4th Street station in Anniston. I-59 has three exits in Gadsden: 188 to Reece City (Al-11) & Noccalula 183 to Atalla & West Gadsden 182 to I-759, East Gadsden and Rainbow City I-59 can be reached from I-24 in Chattanooga, TN or I-459 and I-20 in Birmingham. AL-431 (Huntsville to Opelika) and AL-278 (SR-74, Hamilton to Piedmont) merge in Gadsden. Greyhound Bus Lines, 1511 W Meighan Blvd, ☏ +1-256-547-4959.
Travel tips adapted from Gadsden on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
Trips to Gadsden, AL
Nearby Hubs
Other cities within driving distance of Gadsden, AL that also have route pages.
Escape Planner
Where to go from Gadsden, AL?
Curated day trips, weekend getaways, and overnight routes — grouped by how much time you have and the kind of trip you want.
Drives from Gadsden, AL in your inbox
Monthly note with new routes, weekend drive ideas, and seasonal picks for AL. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Browse more AL road trips or choose a route from Gadsden, AL above.