This 220.8-mile drive from Alabaster, AL to Pennsylvania, AL is a straightforward trip designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 1 minute to complete. Primarily utilizing I-65 and US-43, this route stays within the Southeast region, making it a familiar journey for those in Alabama. With a projected fuel cost of around $33, it's an economical option for a day trip. The drive is focused on highway travel, offering a direct path between your two points. This route is best tackled as a single-day adventure, so you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay.
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
110.4 miles from Alabaster, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
218.5 mi
3h 56m
1st Street South
1 mi
1m
US 43
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 218.5 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~825 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,223
Quietest
1 AM
~118 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster, AL and Pennsylvania, AL.
1
Start on this road
97 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left
177 ft·14 sec
3
Turn right onto US 31; AL 119
1.0 mi·1 min·1st Street South
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I-65 South: Montgomery
5
Merge onto I 65
219 mi·3 hr 56 min·I 65
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
7
Turn right onto US 43
0.5 mi·47 sec·US 43
8
Turn slight right
190 ft·8 sec
9
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·58 sec
10
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning allows ample time to reach Pennsylvania, AL without feeling rushed. Plan for one primary stop along the way, as indicated by the data, to refuel or stretch your legs. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 200 miles on I-65, so be sure to take advantage of any early opportunities for a break before that segment begins. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, it's a manageable expense for a single day's travel. Flexibility is key on this short route; you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 110.4 miles from Alabaster, AL, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.5 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 49 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.4 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pennsylvania, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alabaster, 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 Alabaster, AL
This is one driving day of about 220.8 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Alabaster, 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 I 65 for about 218.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 219.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
3
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 31; AL 119 / 1st Street South
Turn right onto US 31; AL 119 / 1st Street South
Navigation decision point
3
1 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I-65 South: Montgomery
Navigation decision point
Toward I-65 South: Montgomery
3
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
219.9 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.65 one way
$61.30 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$34.29
$68.59
premium
$4.29
$37.28
$74.57
diesel
$4.80
$41.69
$83.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.2
0
$23.18
$10.60
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.32
$8.83
EV Truck/SUV
88.3
1
$30.91
$14.13
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Alabaster, AL
Late night
in Alabaster on Sunday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:57PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:49PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Pennsylvania, AL
Late night
in Pennsylvania on Sunday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:57PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:49PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 1m on the road
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 99% of the journey taking place on major roads like I-65 and US-43. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 218.5 miles on I-65, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your trip. The road character remains largely consistent due to the highway emphasis, providing a predictable driving environment. This means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, making for an efficient transit between your origin and destination.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 218.5 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and 1st Street South. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 1m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 31; AL 119 / 1st Street South): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point.
Pennsylvania is a state in the eastern United States. It is known for its Revolutionary War-era historical sites like Valley Forge, its large cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, its farming regions (some occupied by the Amish), and a (once)-strong industrial history. With equally large swaths of cities and towns as fields and mountains, Pennsylvania is a rich and varied state, as well as a worthy travel destination.
Top landmarks
•Susquehanna River — river in the northeastern United States
•Appalachian Trail — 2,198.4-mile (3,538 km) trail going through fourteen US states managed by the Na...
The longest stretch is about 218.5 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 31; AL 119 / 1st Street South): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Pennsylvania, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
