Saint Clair County Rest Area (Northbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Alabaster, AL to Scottsboro, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
139.3 mi
224 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alabaster, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Scottsboro, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Alabaster, AL to Scottsboro, AL is 139.3 miles and takes about 2h 41m via I 59, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's primarily a highway trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You'll find it's a practical route if you need to get between these two points efficiently, with most of your travel time spent on major roadways.
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
69.6 miles from Alabaster, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 80.8 mi | 1h 26m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| Tammy Little Drive | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| I 65 | 11 mi | 11m |
| East Main Street | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Glenn Boulevard Southwest | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| 1st Street South | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| East Willow Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 80.8 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster, AL and Scottsboro, 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
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street South
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 65
11 mi
·
11 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
81 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 218
Toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville
13
Turn left onto AL 35
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Glenn Boulevard Southwest
14
Continue on AL 35
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
East Main Street
15
Continue on AL 35
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Tammy Little Drive
16
Turn left onto AL 35
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Willow Street
17
Turn left onto South Market Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Market Street
18
Turn right onto East Peachtree Street
452 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Peachtree Street
19
Turn right onto South Broad Street
42 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Broad Street
20
Turn right
229 ft
·
16 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 41 minutes, you have flexibility with departure times. Leaving in the morning allows you to reach Scottsboro with ample time to spare. The route has only one recommended stop, so consider making it midway through your longest stretch on I 59. Your estimated fuel cost is around $21, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Alabaster, as significant stretches are on the interstate. Keep an eye on your GPS as you approach Scottsboro, as the transition from highway to local roads can be quick.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.6 miles from Alabaster, AL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 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 31 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.6 miles or 1h 17m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsboro, 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 139.3 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 59 for about 80.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.6 miles from Alabaster, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Saint Clair County Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 111.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~14m 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
12.8 mi into trip
|
~15m 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
8
30.5 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
6
111.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 218
Toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.04 one way
$42.08 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $23.09 | $46.19 |
| premium | $4.56 | $25.00 | $50.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.76 | $61.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.63 | $6.69 |
| Efficient EV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.19 | $5.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.50 | $8.92 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Origin
Alabaster, AL
Late night in Alabaster on Tuesday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scottsboro, AL
Late night in Scottsboro on Tuesday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
26 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
2h 41m 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
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 19.2
View on nps.gov
Russell Cave National Monument
National Monument
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifa...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 139.3
View on nps.gov
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 72
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 78% of the 139.3 miles on major roads like I 59. You'll encounter a long stretch of 80.8 miles on I 59 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits as you navigate the main highway portion, which can feel quite busy at times. The final part of the route involves traveling on local roads after leaving the interstate.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.8 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 139.3 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 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alabaster, AL and Scottsboro, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, 35: Fort Payne and Rainsville.
Gadsden
12.5 mi in
|
~14m
Tuscaloosa
12.5 mi in
|
~14m
35: Fort Payne
111.8 mi in
|
~2h 2m
Rainsville
111.8 mi in
|
~2h 2m
About the Cities
Arriving in Scottsboro, AL
Full guide →Scottsboro is in the Mountains region of Alabama and is the seat of Jackson County, having enlivened a railroad mode of commerce there. It is a memorial to a seemingly rare instance where civil rights prevailed in the otherwise rather torn history of equality in this country, in a case known as the Scottsboro Boys. It's also the site of a unique venue where unclaimed airline baggage is publicly sold.
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 41m. Total distance: 139.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.8 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 Scottsboro, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, Russell Cave 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 Scottsboro, AL before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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