Florence, AL to Enterprise, AL is 178.8 miles and takes about 3h 36m via I 65 and surface roads, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing Alabama for its entirety. The route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing highway speeds with surface road cruising. It's a straightforward, single-day trip suitable for those looking for a direct connection between these two Alabama cities without requiring an overnight stay.
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
89.4 miles from Florence, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
58.9 mi
1h 6m
University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi
1h 5m
Heroes Highway
43.8 mi
46m
County Road 24
5.5 mi
13m
Wheeler Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Woodward Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
7th Street South
2.9 mi
4m
US 43
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 58.9 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, AL and Enterprise, 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
59 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 205Toward 31, 22: Clanton
15
Keep slight left at fork
167 ft·7 sec
Exit 205Toward 31, 22
16
Turn left onto US 31; AL 22
2.9 mi·4 min·7th Street South
17
Turn right onto County Road 24
5.5 mi·13 min·County Road 24
18
Arrive at destination
County Road 24
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 36m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Florence will allow you to reach Enterprise comfortably within the same day. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $26, this is a manageable drive. The longest stretch on I 65 is nearly 59 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before or after this section. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays or decide to make an impromptu stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the latter half of the drive, especially if you're not familiar with services along the surface road portions.
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 89.4 miles from Florence, AL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.9 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 39 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 48m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Enterprise, 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 178.8 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 I 65 for about 58.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 170.4 — 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
8
170.4 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 31, 22
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 205
Toward 31, 22
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.48 one way
$54.96 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$30.40
$60.79
premium
$4.65
$32.71
$65.42
diesel
$5.35
$37.66
$75.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.77
$8.58
Efficient EV
44.7
0
$15.65
$7.15
EV Truck/SUV
71.5
0
$25.03
$11.44
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Enterprise, AL
Afternoon
in Enterprise on Wednesday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Morris, AL
89 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 36m 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
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 117.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 34% of this 178.8-mile drive is on highways, with the longest stretch of continuous highway travel being 58.9 miles on I 65. After the highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect a mix of faster driving on I 65 and more local traffic and varied speed limits as you navigate the surface roads. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely involve a noticeable change in the surrounding environment and traffic patterns.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.9 mi on I 65.
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 15 significant decision points across 178.8 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
1,000 ft437 ft
Total Climb
908 ft
Total Descent
788 ft
Highest Point
1,000 ft
~63.8 mi in
Elevation Range
563 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 Enterprise, AL, road signs point toward Moulton, Cullman, Fultondale and Montgomery.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 178.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.9 miles on I 65. 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 Enterprise, 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Enterprise, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
