Florence, AL to Clanton, AL is 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 18m via University of North Alabama Highway and I 65, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, moving from Alabama into Alabama. The route offers a mixed highway and surface road experience, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it's a good option for a single-day excursion.
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
83.8 miles from Florence, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi
1h 5m
I 65
52.4 mi
59m
Heroes Highway
43.8 mi
46m
Wheeler Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Woodward Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
Lay Dam Road
3.2 mi
4m
US 43
2.5 mi
4m
North Pine Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
University of North Alabama Highway
— 55.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, AL and Clanton, AL.
1
Start on North Pine Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Pine Street
2
Turn left onto Crest Street
131 ft·11 sec·Crest Street
3
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
1.5 mi·2 min·US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
4
Turn left onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
3.2 mi·5 min·Woodward Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
1.0 mi·1 min·US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
4.3 mi·5 min·Wheeler Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 157
55 mi·1 hr 5 min·University of North Alabama Highway
Toward Moulton, CullmanUse the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I-65 South: Birmingham
9
Merge onto I 65
44 mi·46 min·Heroes Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 65
52 mi·59 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 212Toward 145: Clanton, Lay Dam
15
Turn right onto AL 145
3.2 mi·4 min·Lay Dam Road
16
Continue on 1st Street
375 ft·18 sec·1st Street
17
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North
0.3 mi·39 sec·2nd Avenue North
18
Turn left onto 5th Street South
384 ft·18 sec·5th Street South
19
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
323 ft·14 sec·1st Avenue North
20
Arrive at destination
1st Avenue North
Trip Plan
For this 167.6-mile drive, consider leaving mid-morning to allow for a relaxed start and arrive in Clanton in the afternoon. With a total duration of just over 3 hours, you might only need one planned stop, which is factored into the route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $26, and it's always wise to fill up before you're running on empty, especially when transitioning between highway and surface roads. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to depart later if needed.
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 83.8 miles from Florence, AL, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 42m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clanton, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, AL
This is one driving day of about 167.6 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Florence, 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 University of North Alabama Highway for about 55.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 163.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
10.7 mi into trip|~16m in|AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway toward Moulton, Cullman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Moulton, Cullman
8
109.8 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
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 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
110.4 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
110.9 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
6
163.6 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward 145: Clanton, Lay Dam
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 212
Toward 145: Clanton, Lay Dam
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.76 one way
$51.52 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$28.49
$56.98
premium
$4.65
$30.66
$61.33
diesel
$5.35
$35.30
$70.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.46
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Florence, AL
Afternoon
in Florence on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clanton, AL
Afternoon
in Clanton on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Morris, AL
84 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 18m 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
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 115.6
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 33% highway driving. You'll experience a longest stretch of 55.1 miles on University of North Alabama Highway before transitioning to I 65. Expect a mix of cruising on larger roads and navigating surface streets. Given the highway percentage and the presence of I 65, be prepared for some merging and faster traffic as you get onto the interstate.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.1 mi on University of North Alabama Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 167.6 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 10.7 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
850 ft426 ft
Total Climb
810 ft
Total Descent
766 ft
Highest Point
850 ft
~59.9 mi in
Elevation Range
425 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Florence, AL and Clanton, AL, road signs point toward Moulton, Cullman, Fultondale and Montgomery.
Moulton
10.7 mi in|~16m|via AL 157
Cullman
10.7 mi in|~16m|via AL 157
Fultondale
109.8 mi in|~2h 10m
Montgomery
110.9 mi in|~2h 11m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 167.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.1 miles on University of North Alabama Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Clanton, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.7 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Clanton, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
