Florence, AL to Forestdale, AL is 117.3 miles and takes about 2h 22m via University of North Alabama Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Alabama. Expect a drive that mostly uses surface roads, meaning you'll encounter more local traffic and potentially more intersections than a pure interstate trip. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, it's a straightforward option for a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Florence, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi
1h 5m
Heroes Highway
43.8 mi
46m
Wheeler Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Woodward Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
Daniel Payne Drive
3.1 mi
5m
US 43
2.5 mi
4m
Forestdale Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
I 65
0.8 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 Forestdale, 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
0.8 mi·58 sec·I 65
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 264Toward Daniel Payne DriveUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto Daniel Payne Drive
3.1 mi·5 min·Daniel Payne Drive
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on Dugan Avenue
0.4 mi·41 sec·Dugan Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn straight onto US 78; AL 5
1.4 mi·2 min·Forestdale Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Heflin Avenue East
0.2 mi·26 sec·Heflin Avenue East
Use the right lane.
19
Arrive at destination
Heflin Avenue East
Trip Plan
Starting your drive in the morning is a good idea to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. Since this is a shorter trip at just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility with stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the surface roads, and plan to refuel before you leave Florence if needed, as the $17 fuel estimate is based on the entire trip. The longest stretch of road is over 55 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration between potential services.
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 58.7 miles from Florence, AL, or about 1h 14m 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 14m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forestdale, 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 117.3 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Florence, 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 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 58.7 miles from Florence, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 112 — 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
7
112 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward Daniel Payne Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 264
Toward Daniel Payne Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.18 one way
$34.37 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$19.08
$38.15
premium
$4.49
$20.72
$41.43
diesel
$5.60
$25.86
$51.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.2
0
$12.32
$5.63
Efficient EV
29.3
0
$10.26
$4.69
EV Truck/SUV
46.9
0
$16.42
$7.51
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.
Forecast as of Sep 3, 2026
Origin
Florence, AL
Evening
in Florence on Friday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 11:35PM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 9:27AM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
Destination
Forestdale, AL
Evening
in Forestdale on Friday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 11:35PM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 9:27AM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
72°F
Danville, AL
59 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 22m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 113.3
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?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, as the highway share is 37% of the total distance. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 55.1 miles along University of North Alabama Highway. As you transition away from the highway portion, be prepared for more frequent stops at traffic lights and intersections typical of a surface road profile.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort10/10
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 117.3 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
914 ft426 ft
Total Climb
687 ft
Total Descent
598 ft
Highest Point
914 ft
~67.1 mi in
Elevation Range
488 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 Forestdale, AL, road signs point toward Moulton, Cullman, Fultondale and Montgomery.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 117.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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.
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 Forestdale, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Forestdale, AL before heading back.
