Center Point, AL to East Florence, AL is 252.9 miles and takes about 5h 50m via AL 13, US 43, and AL 69, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region and Alabama for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a relatively straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, making it a practical option for many travelers.
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
126.5 miles from Center Point, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
AL 13
87.8 mi
2h 1m
US 43
55.5 mi
1h 17m
AL 69
49.2 mi
1h 13m
I 20
25.8 mi
27m
South Main Street
16.2 mi
18m
Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi
6m
AL 154
3.1 mi
5m
I 359
2.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
AL 13
— 87.8 mi, about 2h 1m
Traffic on I-359
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,407 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,814
Quietest
2 AM
~125 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Center Point, AL and East Florence, AL.
1
Start on AL 154
3.1 mi·5 min·AL 154
2
At end of road, turn right onto AL 69
49 mi·1 hr 13 min·AL 69
3
Continue on US 43; AL 69
16 mi·18 min·South Main Street
4
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
0.9 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
5
Continue on US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cedar Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
7
Turn right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·US 43
8
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
9
Turn right onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·Tuscaloosa Street
10
Turn left onto CR 208
1.2 mi·2 min·M L King Highway
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
12
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi·27 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
2.1 mi·2 min·I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
16
Continue on US 43; AL 69
1.5 mi·2 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left onto 10th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·10th Street
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn right onto Main Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Avenue
19
Continue on US 43
29 mi·39 min·US 43
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on AL 13
33 mi·46 min·AL 13
21
Continue on US 278; AL 13
0.5 mi·43 sec·US 278; AL 13
22
Continue on AL 13
55 mi·1 hr 15 min·AL 13
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
1.7 mi·2 min·US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Use the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
176 ft·5 sec
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto Veterans Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·Veterans Drive
26
Turn left onto South Royal Avenue
0.2 mi·17 sec·South Royal Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Enter roundabout onto Huntsville Road
12 ft·0 sec·Huntsville Road
28
Continue on Huntsville Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Huntsville Road
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto Midway Street
60 ft·2 sec·Midway Street
30
Arrive at destination
Midway Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 50m drive, consider an early morning departure from Center Point, AL, to maximize your daylight hours. The route is efficient enough to complete in one day, so a single stop for fuel or a quick break should suffice. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 87.8-mile stretch on AL 13, as services might be less frequent. Budgeting around $37 for fuel is a good estimate for this 252.9-mile trip.
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 126.5 miles from Center Point, AL, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 56 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East 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 252.9 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Center Point, 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 AL 13 for about 87.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 252.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in|AL 69
At end of road, turn right onto AL 69
Navigation decision point
5
100.9 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 359 North, I 69 North: 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 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
6
130.8 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|10th Street
Turn left onto 10th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
252.1 mi into trip|~5h 48m in|South Royal Avenue
Turn left onto South Royal Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.71 one way
$77.42 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$42.87
$85.75
premium
$4.65
$46.29
$92.58
diesel
$6.28
$62.49
$124.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.9
0
$26.55
$12.14
Efficient EV
63.2
0
$22.13
$10.12
EV Truck/SUV
101.2
1
$35.41
$16.19
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Center Point, AL
Morning
in Center Point on Thursday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 9:17PM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
East Florence, AL
Morning
in East Florence on Thursday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 9:17PM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM 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
2 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
5h 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the total mileage on higher-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 87.8 miles on AL 13, offering uninterrupted cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur gradually, with a notable shift in traffic patterns and speed limits as you approach your destination.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.8 mi on AL 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 13 and US 43. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near AL 69.
Driving Effort6/10
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 252.9 miles you will encounter 19 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 3.1 miles (AL 69): Navigation decision point; at 100.9 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 252.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m 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 87.8 miles on AL 13. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 East Florence, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (AL 69): Navigation decision point; at 100.9 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Florence, AL before the return drive.
