Origin
Center Point, AL
Afternoon in Center Point on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Center Point, AL to Florence, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
118.5 mi
191 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Center Point, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Florence, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Center Point, AL to Florence, AL is 118.5 miles and takes about 2h 28m via University of North Alabama Highway and I 65, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, making it a straightforward drive for those in the Southeast. The route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing highway speeds with surface roads. With a duration under three hours and minimal stops recommended, this is an easy same-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for a quick and efficient way to travel between these two Alabama cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.3 miles from Center Point, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Alabama Highway | 55.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 65 | 42.3 mi | 45m |
| Carson Road | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| Woodward Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Wheeler Highway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| US 43 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| 23rd Avenue Northeast | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| New Castle Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
University of North Alabama Highway
— 55.4 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center Point, AL and Florence, AL.
1
Start on 23rd Avenue Northeast
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
23rd Avenue Northeast
2
Turn right onto Carson Road
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Carson Road
3
Continue on New Castle Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
New Castle Road
4
Continue on CR 120
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Chapel Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 65
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 310
Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
8
Turn left onto AL 157
200 ft
·
3 sec
·
Section Line Road
9
Continue on AL 157
55 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
University of North Alabama Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Wheeler Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Woodward Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
437 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto South Pine Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Pine Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Pine Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 28m duration, leaving in the morning from Center Point, AL, will give you ample time to reach Florence, AL, and still have your afternoon free. With only 118.5 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $17, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. There are no specific stops noted, so you can take them as needed, perhaps for a quick break around the halfway point or when you notice fuel getting low. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-65 to University of North Alabama Highway, as this marks a significant change in the driving environment.
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 59.3 miles from Center Point, AL, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 13m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Center Point, 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 Center Point, AL
This is one driving day of about 118.5 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Center Point, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on University of North Alabama Highway for about 55.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from Center Point, 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 118.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the ramp toward I 65 North: Huntsville
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
5
10 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
52.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 310
Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
5
108 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
118.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.90 one way
$35.79 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $19.65 | $39.29 |
| premium | $4.56 | $21.27 | $42.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.16 | $52.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.44 | $5.69 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.37 | $4.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.59 | $7.58 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Florence, AL
Afternoon in Florence on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
1 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 28m 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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 8.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This 118.5-mile drive is a 37% highway experience, with the longest stretch on University of North Alabama Highway spanning 55.4 miles. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on surface roads, transitioning from the efficiency of I-65 to more local routes. Expect a shift in pace as you move between these road types, with a notable section of continuous driving on University of North Alabama Highway before you reach your destination. The mixed profile means you'll encounter varying traffic patterns and speed limits throughout the 2h 28m trip.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.4 mi on University of North Alabama Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 9.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Center Point, AL to Florence, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Moulton along the way.
Moulton
52.3 mi in
|
~1h 4m
About the Cities
Arriving in Florence, AL
Full guide →Florence is a city in northwest Alabama near Mississippi and Tennessee.
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 28m. Total distance: 118.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.4 miles on University of North Alabama Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: at 9.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights 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 Florence, 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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