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Trip from Cedar Bluff, AL to Hoover, 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

1h 55m

Distance

101.3 mi

163 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m

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

Downtown Cedar Bluff, AL, AL

Cedar Bluff, AL

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 101.3-mile drive from Cedar Bluff, AL to Hoover, AL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 55 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated around $15, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-59 and US 411, making it a convenient way to travel within Alabama. Given its short duration and focused highway profile, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entirety of this drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50.6 miles from Cedar Bluff, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 59 44.6 mi 47m
US 411 19.9 mi 22m
John M. Harbert III Freeway 18.7 mi 20m
I 759 4 mi 4m
Cedar Bluff Road 3 mi 3m
State Route 9 2.5 mi 2m
North Albert Rains Boulevard 2.3 mi 3m
Clarence E Chestnut Jr Bypass 2.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 59 — 44.6 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Bluff, AL and Hoover, AL.

1

Start on Old Hwy 9

44 ft · 7 sec · Old Hwy 9
2

Turn right onto AL 68

0.2 mi · 20 sec · South Weiss Lake Drive
3

At end of road, turn right onto AL 9; AL 68

2.5 mi · 2 min · State Route 9
4

Continue on AL 9; AL 68

3.0 mi · 3 min · Cedar Bluff Road
5

Turn right onto US 411; AL 68

2.2 mi · 2 min · Clarence E Chestnut Jr Bypass
6

Turn right onto US 411; AL 68

20 mi · 22 min · US 411; AL 68
7

Continue on Ewing Avenue

0.4 mi · 27 sec · Ewing Avenue
8

Continue on US 411

2.3 mi · 3 min · North Albert Rains Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on US 411

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Rainbow Drive
10

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on I 759

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 759
Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward Birmingham Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto I 59

45 mi · 47 min · I 59
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 41 sec
Exit 137 Toward I 459 South: Tuscaloosa, Montgomery Use the left lane.
15

Continue on I 459

19 mi · 20 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 13B Toward US 31: Hoover, Pelham Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight right at fork

516 ft · 12 sec
Toward US 31 North: Hoover Use the right lane.
18

Turn straight onto US 31

1.1 mi · 2 min · Montgomery Highway
19

Turn left onto Braddock Drive

0.2 mi · 53 sec · Braddock Drive
20

Turn right onto Spruce Drive

436 ft · 25 sec · Spruce Drive
21

Turn left onto Whispering Pines Circle

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Whispering Pines Circle
22

Arrive at destination

Whispering Pines Circle

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 1-hour and 55-minute trip, starting your journey in the morning will allow you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. Since there are no specific recommended stops, you can decide on breaks as needed, perhaps utilizing rest areas along I-59. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $15 for the 101.3 miles. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic on I-59 as you approach the Birmingham metropolitan area, especially during peak commute hours.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.6 miles from Cedar Bluff, AL, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.6 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 22 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 50.6 miles or 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hoover, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cedar Bluff, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cedar Bluff, AL

This is one driving day of about 101.3 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Cedar Bluff, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 44.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Ragland, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ragland, AL

51 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

Collinsville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oneonta, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.6 miles from Cedar Bluff, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 30.7 and 99.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
30.7 mi into trip | ~35m in

Take the ramp toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga
7
35.2 mi into trip | ~41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Birmingham
8
80.2 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 459 South: Tuscaloosa, Montgomery

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Exit 137 Toward I 459 South: Tuscaloosa, Montgomery
8
99.3 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward US 31: Hoover, Pelham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 13B Toward US 31: Hoover, Pelham
8
99.6 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 31 North: Hoover

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 31 North: Hoover

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.30 one way

$30.60 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $16.79 $33.59
premium $4.56 $18.18 $36.36
diesel $5.61 $22.37 $44.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.4 0 $10.64 $4.86
Efficient EV 25.3 0 $8.86 $4.05
EV Truck/SUV 40.5 0 $14.18 $6.48

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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 16, 2026

Origin

Cedar Bluff, AL

Late night in Cedar Bluff on Tuesday

Local time

4:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hoover, AL

Late night in Hoover on Tuesday

Local time

4:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 10 mph 5% chance 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

28 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

1h 55m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

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 90.8
View on nps.gov
Freedom Riders National Monument

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 31.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that is predominantly on highways, with 89% of the route consisting of interstate or major road travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 44.6 miles on I-59, offering a period of consistent speed and forward momentum. While largely highway-focused, the inclusion of US 411 and John M. Harbert III Freeway means you’ll experience a mix of high-speed travel and slightly more varied road conditions. This profile suggests a drive geared more towards efficient travel than extensive scenic detours.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.6 mi on I 59.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 411. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 30.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Cedar Bluff, AL and Hoover, AL, road signs point toward Chattanooga, Birmingham and Montgomery.

Chattanooga

30.7 mi in | ~35m

Birmingham

35.2 mi in | ~41m

Montgomery

80.2 mi in | ~1h 29m

About the Cities

Arriving in Hoover, AL

Full guide →

Founded 1850

Hoover is a city in the Birmingham urban area in Metropolitan Alabama, south of central Birmingham. While most nearby attractions in the area are in the city of Birmingham, Hoover is an important shopping/retail area.

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 1h 55m. Total distance: 101.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44.6 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Hoover, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 30.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights 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 Hoover, 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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