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Trip from Alabaster, AL to Pennsylvania, AL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 1m

Distance

220.8 mi

355 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 48m ★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

suburb city of Birmingham, located in Shelby County, Alabama, United States

Alabaster, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Pennsylvania, AL, AL

Pennsylvania, AL

K6

Trip Overview

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

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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Montgomery, AL

110 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.

Popular next leg

Montgomery, AL to Pennsylvania, AL

153.9 mi · 2h 48m

Pacing Suggestions

Thorsby, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Montgomery, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 110.4 miles from Alabaster, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 218.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

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

$33.35 one way

$66.69 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $36.61 $73.21
premium $4.56 $39.63 $79.26
diesel $5.61 $48.75 $97.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Alabaster, AL

Late night in Alabaster on Tuesday

Local time

5:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pennsylvania, AL

Late night in Pennsylvania on Tuesday

Local time

5:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°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

16 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

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.

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 Effort 3/10

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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 220.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 218.5 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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.

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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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