Florence, AL to Grayson Valley, AL is 123.1 miles and takes about 2h 35m via University of North Alabama Highway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. You'll primarily be on surface roads, offering a more local driving experience rather than interstate cruising. It’s a straightforward drive, suitable for a single day with minimal time commitment.
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
61.6 miles from Florence, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi
1h 5m
Heroes Highway
42.1 mi
45m
Carson Road
5.5 mi
9m
Wheeler Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Sweeny Hollow Road
4 mi
7m
Woodward Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
US 43
2.5 mi
4m
Pinson Valley Parkway
2.1 mi
3m
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 Grayson Valley, 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
42 mi·45 min·Heroes Highway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 267Toward Walkers Chapel RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
272 ft·9 sec
Toward FultondaleUse the left lane.
12
Turn left onto Walker Chapel Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Walker Chapel Road
Use the left / right lanes.
13
Continue on New Castle Road
0.8 mi·1 min·New Castle Road
14
Turn straight onto Carson Road
5.5 mi·9 min·Carson Road
15
Turn left onto AL 79
2.1 mi·3 min·Pinson Valley Parkway
16
Turn right onto Sweeny Hollow Road
4.0 mi·7 min·Sweeny Hollow Road
17
Continue on CR 10
0.7 mi·1 min·Chalkville Road
18
Turn right onto Grayson Valley Drive
0.3 mi·38 sec·Grayson Valley Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Grayson Valley Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 35m duration, leaving Florence, AL in the morning allows ample time to reach Grayson Valley, AL before evening. The recommended 1 stop is well-placed for a break. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have flexibility; consider departing later in the day if your schedule allows. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach Grayson Valley, as the $19 estimate is based on the total 123.1 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 55.1 miles on University of North Alabama Highway, so plan your break before or after this segment.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.6 miles from Florence, AL, or about 1h 17m 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 27 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.6 miles or 1h 17m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grayson Valley, 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 123.1 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 108.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Crest Street
Turn left onto Crest Street
Navigation decision point
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
7
108.2 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward Walkers Chapel Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 267
Toward Walkers Chapel Road
7
108.6 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Fultondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Fultondale
5
108.6 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|Walker Chapel Road
Turn left onto Walker Chapel Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.92 one way
$37.84 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$20.93
$41.85
premium
$4.65
$22.52
$45.04
diesel
$5.35
$25.93
$51.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.9
0
$12.93
$5.91
Efficient EV
30.8
0
$10.77
$4.92
EV Truck/SUV
49.2
0
$17.23
$7.88
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
4:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Grayson Valley, AL
Afternoon
in Grayson Valley on Wednesday
Local time
4:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
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
2h 35m 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 110.4
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 mostly surface roads, with only a small portion on highways. You'll encounter 55.1 miles on University of North Alabama Highway before transitioning to other main roads like Heroes Highway and Carson Road. Expect to navigate through more developed areas with frequent intersections and local traffic, as opposed to high-speed highway travel. With a highway share of 25% (4 out of 4 sections), you'll notice the change from faster speeds to more stop-and-go driving.
Only 4% 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?
7/10
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 0.5 miles in near Crest Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 123.1 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 0.5 miles (Crest Street): Navigation decision point; 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 108.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,001 ft392 ft
Total Climb
1,160 ft
Total Descent
769 ft
Highest Point
1,001 ft
~61.6 mi in
Elevation Range
609 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 Grayson Valley, AL, road signs point toward Moulton, Cullman and Fultondale.
Moulton
10.7 mi in|~16m|via AL 157
Cullman
10.7 mi in|~16m|via AL 157
Fultondale
108.6 mi in|~2h 9m
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 2h 35m. Total distance: 123.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m 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.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Grayson Valley, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Crest Street): Navigation decision point; 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 108.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights 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 Grayson Valley, AL before heading back.
