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Trip from Gadsden, AL to Ozark, AL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 19m

Distance

204.1 mi

328 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 6m ★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 46m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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city in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama

Gadsden, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ozark, AL, AL

Ozark, AL

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Gadsden, AL to Ozark, AL covers 204.1 miles and takes about 4h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Broadway Avenue, US 231, East Grand Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.6 miles on Broadway Avenue. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.90 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

102 miles from Gadsden, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Broadway Avenue 54.6 mi 1h 2m
US 231 47.4 mi 1h 2m
East Grand Avenue 37 mi 52m
Troy Highway 34.7 mi 41m
Western Bypass 22.7 mi 26m
Rainbow Drive 4.2 mi 6m
Rockford Highway 1.2 mi 1m
East Andrews Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Broadway Avenue — 54.6 mi, about 1h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gadsden, AL and Ozark, AL.

1

Start on South 6th Street

16 ft · 4 sec · South 6th Street
2

Turn right onto Broad Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · Broad Street
3

Turn right onto South 3rd Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 3rd Street
4

Keep slight right at fork onto Rainbow Drive

4.2 mi · 6 min · Rainbow Drive
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn left onto AL 77

37 mi · 52 min · East Grand Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Turn right onto AL 21

23 mi · 26 min · Western Bypass
7

Continue on AL 21

1.2 mi · 1 min · Rockford Highway
8

Continue on US 231; AL 21

55 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9

Turn left onto US 231; AL 21

7.6 mi · 11 min · US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
10

Turn left onto US 82; US 231

35 mi · 41 min · Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 231

7.7 mi · 9 min · US 231
Use the right lane.
12

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.1 mi · 9 sec · US 231; AL 10
13

Continue on US 231; AL 10

2.0 mi · 3 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on US 231; AL 10

7.6 mi · 10 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on US 231; AL 10

23 mi · 27 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
16

Turn left onto AL 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Andrews Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on AL 27

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West Broad Street
18

Arrive at destination

AL 27

Trip Plan

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 102 miles from Gadsden, AL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 45 miles or 1h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 102 miles or 2h 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 3h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ozark, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, AL

This is one driving day of about 204.1 miles and 4h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Gadsden, 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 Broadway Avenue for about 54.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Alabama, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wetumpka, AL

102 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Riverside, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wetumpka, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 102 miles from Gadsden, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Our Place Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ozark, Alabama

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13344452777

Visit website

MatkaBar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Montgomery, Alabama

2.4 mi

El Tapatio II Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gadsden, Alabama

2.1 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Loose Brick Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ozark, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–5:30 pm

+13344430434

Visit website

The Bean Bro Ozark

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ozark, AL

1.3 mi

SweetCreek Farm Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pike Rd, Alabama

2.5 mi

Our Place Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ozark, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13344452777

Visit website

MatkaBar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 11 AM–2:30 PM

+13345935388

Visit website

El Tapatio II Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12565466088

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12565432086

Visit website

Sommer's Place

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 11 AM–8 PM

+13342795401

Visit website

La Jolla

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Expensive

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 4–9 PM

+13343562600

Visit website

TeaTown

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 10 AM–8 PM

+13343963279

Visit website

Bubbly Hen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 7 AM–2 PM

+13346491111

Visit website

Loose Brick Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Ozark, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–5:30 pm

+13344430434

Visit website

The Bean Bro Ozark

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Ozark, AL

Hours: 5 am–6 pm

+13343895560

Visit website

SweetCreek Farm Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Pike Rd, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–6:30 pm

+13342803276

Visit website

Dunkin'

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Ozark, Alabama

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+13346860003

Visit website

The Roost Coffee N Creamery

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Pike Rd, Alabama

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

7 Brew Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm

+14793589274

Visit website

The Bean Bro Troy

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Troy, Alabama

Hours: 5 am–6 pm

Visit website

Noodles cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 11 AM–2:30 PM

+13345171179

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Ozark, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Montgomery, Alabama

EVgo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Lincoln, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12057632225

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Troy, Alabama

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

+12565382100

Visit website

Hobo Pantry Chevron

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ozark, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13347741355

Visit website

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.2 mi from route

Imagination Place

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–1 pm

+12565432787

Visit website

SMOKE R US

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ozark, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13342373891

Noccalula Falls Park & Campground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

+12565494663

Visit website

Noccalula Falls

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+12565494663

Visit website

Antiques Treasures And More

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ozark, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13347746533

Visit website

Inland

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv

Ozark, AL

Hours: Open 24 hours

The Factory

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Gadsden, Alabama

Hours: 3–9 pm

+12563128974

Visit website

Subway

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv

Troy, Alabama

Hours: 8:30 am–9:30 pm

+13345667944

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 128.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Broad Street

Turn right onto Broad Street

Navigation decision point

6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | Rainbow Drive

Keep slight right at fork onto Rainbow Drive

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
5.2 mi into trip | ~8m in | AL 77 / East Grand Avenue

Turn left onto AL 77 / East Grand Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
120.7 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | US 231; AL 21

Turn left onto US 231; AL 21

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
128.2 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway

Turn left onto US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.90 one way

$59.80 round trip

$3.72/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.13 $33.19 $66.39
premium $4.49 $36.05 $72.09
diesel $5.60 $44.99 $89.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.2 0 $21.43 $9.80
Efficient EV 51 0 $17.86 $8.16
EV Truck/SUV 81.6 1 $28.57 $13.06

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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

Gadsden, AL

Late night in Gadsden on Friday

Local time

3:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 12:56PM 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

Ozark, AL

Late night in Ozark on Friday

Local time

3:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Partly Cloudy

0 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 12:56PM 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

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

4h 19m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

204.1 mi in 4h 19m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 mi on Broadway Avenue.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broad Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 204.1 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Rainbow Drive): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (AL 77 / East Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

806 ft 175 ft

Total Climb

725 ft

Total Descent

853 ft

Highest Point

806 ft

~72.9 mi in

Elevation Range

631 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Gadsden, AL

Full guide →

Founded 1867

Gadsden is a city in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama.

Top landmarks

  • • United States Post Office — historic government building in Gadsden, Alabama
  • • Mort Glosser Amphitheater — open-air theatre in Gadsden, Alabama, United States
  • • Eleventh Street School — historic school building in Gadsden, Alabama, USA

Arriving in Ozark, AL

Full guide →

Founded 1822

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 204.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (23%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Broadway Avenue. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 4 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Rainbow Drive): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (AL 77 / East Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Ozark, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Ozark, AL to Gadsden, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

203.9 mi 4h 18m

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