Foley to Gadsden is 321.8 miles and takes about 6h 7m via I 65 and I 59, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll be on the highway for most of this drive, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive time, it's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points in Alabama. Consider this if you prefer a route with minimal navigation challenges.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
160.9 miles from Foley, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
211.5 mi
3h 48m
I 59
44 mi
47m
McKenzie Street
32.2 mi
45m
John M. Harbert III Freeway
17.1 mi
18m
Bay Minette Bypass
5.3 mi
9m
Rabun Road
4.2 mi
6m
I 759
2.2 mi
2m
South 11th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 211.5 mi, about 3h 48m
Traffic on I-459
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,603 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~191 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Foley, AL and Gadsden, AL.
1
Start on US 98
67 ft·5 sec·East Laurel Avenue
2
Turn right onto AL 59
32 mi·45 min·McKenzie Street
3
Continue on US 31; AL 59
5.3 mi·9 min·Bay Minette Bypass
4
Continue on AL 287
4.2 mi·6 min·Rabun Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto I 65
212 mi·3 hr 48 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 250Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, GadsdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 459
17 mi·18 min·John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 33BToward I 59 North: GadsdenUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·15 sec·this road
Exit 33AToward I-59 North: Gadsden
12
Merge onto I 59
44 mi·47 min·I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·51 sec
Exit 182Toward I 759: Gadsden
14
Continue on I 759
2.2 mi·2 min·I 759
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 2Toward Black Creek Parkway
16
Turn slight left onto Black Creek Parkway
0.5 mi·52 sec·Black Creek Parkway
17
Turn slight right onto South 11th Street
1.5 mi·2 min·South 11th Street
18
Turn right onto Walnut Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
19
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·South 6th Street
20
Arrive at destination
South 6th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, leaving in the morning should allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you can make it in one go, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The $48 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 211.5-mile stretch on I 65. Be prepared for the transition from highway to surface roads as you approach Gadsden; paying attention to posted speed limits will be key during this final leg.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.9 miles from Foley, AL, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211.5 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 71 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.9 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gadsden, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Foley, 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 Foley, AL
This is one driving day of about 321.8 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Foley, 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 211.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 42 and 271.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
42 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
253.5 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250
Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
8
253.8 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
5
254.4 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway
Merge onto I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
271.5 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33B
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.46 one way
$98.92 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$54.71
$109.41
premium
$4.65
$58.87
$117.75
diesel
$5.35
$67.78
$135.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.5
1
$33.79
$15.45
Efficient EV
80.5
0
$28.16
$12.87
EV Truck/SUV
128.7
1
$45.05
$20.60
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Foley, AL
Afternoon
in Foley on Wednesday
Local time
3:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gadsden, AL
Afternoon
in Gadsden on Wednesday
Local time
3:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph1% 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
11 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
6h 7m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 255.2
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 310.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 86% highway, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 211.5 miles, primarily on I 65. You'll transition to surface streets, like McKenzie Street, for the final portion of the drive. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate through various towns and cities along the way.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 211.5 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42 miles in near I 65.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 321.8 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 42 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
798 ft80 ft
Total Climb
1,032 ft
Total Descent
560 ft
Highest Point
798 ft
~275.8 mi in
Elevation Range
719 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Foley, AL to Gadsden, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscaloosa along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 321.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 211.5 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Gadsden, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 42 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gadsden, AL before the return drive.
