Spanning 281.1 miles across Alabama, this trek from Hackleburg to Pennsylvania takes approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes behind the wheel. Because the total duration is under six hours, you can comfortably complete this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $43 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes US 43, I-20, and the Demopolis Highway. Since both your start and end points are located within the Southeast, you will remain in a consistent regional landscape throughout the trip. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that serves as an efficient way to traverse this part of the state.
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
140.5 miles from Hackleburg, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 43
153.8 mi
3h 2m
I 20
25.6 mi
27m
Demopolis Highway
24 mi
34m
AL 13
22.7 mi
31m
I 22
22.1 mi
23m
Andrew Jackson Highway
18.8 mi
24m
US 11
4.6 mi
6m
I 359
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 153.8 mi, about 3h 2m
Traffic on I-22
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~532 veh/hr typical
· worst 712
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
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 Hackleburg, AL and Pennsylvania, AL.
1
Start on AL 172
404 ft·14 sec·Cedar Tree Street
2
Turn left onto US 43; AL 17
19 mi·24 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-22 East: JasperUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 22; US 78
22 mi·23 min·I 22; US 78
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 39Toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
6
Turn right onto AL 13
23 mi·31 min·AL 13
7
Continue on US 43
29 mi·39 min·US 43
8
Continue on Main Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Avenue
9
Turn left onto 5th Street
364 ft·12 sec·5th Street
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
11
Merge onto US 43; AL 69
1.1 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.3 mi·24 sec·I 359; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69
1.7 mi·1 min·I 359; US 11; AL 69
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi·27 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward UnionUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto CR 208
1.3 mi·3 min·M L King Highway
19
Merge onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·US 11; US 43
20
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
21
Merge onto US 43; AL 14
0.3 mi·33 sec·Greensboro Street
22
Turn slight right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·Demopolis Highway
23
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
24
Turn right onto US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·North Cedar Avenue
25
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
1.0 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
26
Turn right onto US 43
17 mi·19 min·US 43
27
Turn right onto US 43
107 mi·2 hr 2 min·US 43
28
Turn slight right
190 ft·8 sec
29
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·58 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the nearly six-hour duration, try to leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue and maximize your daylight hours. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into the middle portion of your itinerary. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 153.8-mile stretch on US 43, as service intervals can vary significantly on longer highway segments. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns. Plan your break strategically to break up the drive, ensuring you reach your destination in Pennsylvania, AL feeling refreshed.
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 140.5 miles from Hackleburg, AL, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.8 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 62 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.5 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pennsylvania, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hackleburg, 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 Hackleburg, AL
This is one driving day of about 281.1 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Hackleburg, 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 US 43 for about 153.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 124 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 43; AL 17 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Turn left onto US 43; AL 17 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
18.9 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I-22 East: Jasper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-22 East: Jasper
6
41.2 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the exit toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 39
Toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
7
98.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
124 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward Union
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Union
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.02 one way
$78.04 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$43.66
$87.32
premium
$4.29
$47.47
$94.93
diesel
$4.80
$53.08
$106.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.3
1
$29.52
$13.49
Efficient EV
70.3
0
$24.60
$11.24
EV Truck/SUV
112.4
1
$39.35
$17.99
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hackleburg, AL
Late night
in Hackleburg on Sunday
Local time
3:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pennsylvania, AL
Late night
in Pennsylvania on Sunday
Local time
3:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
92°F
Livingston, AL
141 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
7 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
5h 47m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as 82% of your travel occurs on major highways. You will experience a significant stretch of open road early on, with the longest uninterrupted segment covering 153.8 miles along US 43. The character of the drive shifts as you transition between the high-speed flow of I-20 and the more localized pace of the Demopolis Highway. While the route is largely focused on major thoroughfares, the mix of road types keeps the experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Prepare for a steady, consistent pace that allows you to cover considerable ground quickly.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.8 mi on US 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 43; AL 17 / Andrew Jackson Highway.
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 20 significant decision points across 281.1 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 0.1 miles (US 43; AL 17 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
938 ft21 ft
Total Climb
500 ft
Total Descent
1,417 ft
Highest Point
938 ft
Elevation Range
917 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hackleburg, AL and Pennsylvania, AL, road signs point toward Eldridge and Union.
Pennsylvania is a state in the eastern United States. It is known for its Revolutionary War-era historical sites like Valley Forge, its large cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, its farming regions (some occupied by the Amish), and a (once)-strong industrial history. With equally large swaths of cities and towns as fields and mountains, Pennsylvania is a rich and varied state, as well as a worthy travel destination.
Top landmarks
•Susquehanna River — river in the northeastern United States
•Appalachian Trail — 2,198.4-mile (3,538 km) trail going through fourteen US states managed by the Na...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 281.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.8 miles on US 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Pennsylvania, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 43; AL 17 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pennsylvania, AL before the return drive.
