Origin
Cullman, AL
Late night in Cullman on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cullman, AL to Gadsden, 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
1h 18m
Distance
53.1 mi
86 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cullman, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Gadsden, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 53.1 miles across Alabama, this efficient drive between Cullman and Gadsden is a straightforward journey typically taking about 1 hour and 18 minutes. It is a perfect day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $8 for fuel to complete the trip. Because both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic feel throughout the transit. The route relies heavily on US 278, making it a practical choice for those who prefer a direct, highway-focused path over winding backroads.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 278 | 41.6 mi | 58m |
| 3rd Street Northeast | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| West Meighan Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| 5th Avenue Northwest | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| 3rd Street Southeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 4th Street Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North 6th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Thompson Bridge Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 278
— 41.6 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cullman, AL and Gadsden, AL.
1
Start on US 31; AL 69
49 ft
·
5 sec
·
2nd Avenue Southwest
2
Turn right onto US 278; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 278; AL 69
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
3rd Street Northeast
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 278; AL 69
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street Southeast
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 278; AL 69
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
3rd Street Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 278
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US 278
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 278
19 mi
·
27 min
·
US 278
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 278
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 278
9
Continue on US 278
516 ft
·
8 sec
·
Thompson Bridge Road
10
Continue on US 278
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 278
11
Turn right onto US 278; US 431
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 278; US 431
12
Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
4th Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
5th Avenue Northwest
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 278; US 431
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West Meighan Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North 6th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
South 6th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.6 miles from Cullman, 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 55 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 52.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 278; AL 69 / 3rd Street Southeast
Turn right onto US 278; AL 69 / 3rd Street Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
45.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
US 278; US 431
Turn right onto US 278; US 431
Navigation decision point
4
47.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
4th Street Northwest
Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
5th Avenue Northwest
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
52.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
North 6th Street
Turn right onto North 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.02 one way
$16.04 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $8.80 | $17.61 |
| premium | $4.56 | $9.53 | $19.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.72 | $23.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.58 | $2.55 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.65 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.43 | $3.40 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Gadsden, AL
Late night in Gadsden on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 18m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
With 78% of the journey spent on highways, this drive is designed for steady, efficient progress rather than leisurely wandering. You will spend the bulk of your time on US 278, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 41.6 miles. As you transition from the highway toward your destination, the route shifts into local navigation via 3rd Street Northeast and West Meighan Boulevard. Expect a consistent, highway-focused personality that keeps you moving toward Gadsden with minimal complexity. It is an uncomplicated drive that prioritizes speed and reliability over technical challenges.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.6 mi on US 278.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 278 and 3rd Street Northeast. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 278; AL 69 / 3rd Street Southeast.
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 1h 18m 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 (US 278; AL 69 / 3rd Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.6 miles (US 278; US 431): Navigation decision point; at 47.4 miles (4th Street Northwest): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Cullman, AL
Full guide →Cullman is in the Mountains region of Alabama.
Arriving in Gadsden, AL
Full guide →Founded 1867
Gadsden is a city in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama.
Top landmarks
- • United States Post Office — historic government building in Gadsden, Alabama
- • Mort Glosser Amphitheater — open-air theatre in Gadsden, Alabama, United States
- • Eleventh Street School — historic school building in Gadsden, Alabama, USA
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 18m. Total distance: 53.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.6 miles on US 278. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (US 278; AL 69 / 3rd Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.6 miles (US 278; US 431): Navigation decision point; at 47.4 miles (4th Street Northwest): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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 Gadsden, 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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