Origin
Hartselle, AL
Late night in Hartselle on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hartselle, AL to Florence, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
56.5 mi
91 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
7 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hartselle, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Florence, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hartselle to Florence covers 56.5 miles through the heart of Alabama, typically taking about 1 hour and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because this distance is relatively short, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $8 on fuel for the trip, making this a very budget-friendly excursion within the Southeast region. The route utilizes a combination of University of North Alabama Highway, Wheeler Highway, and Woodward Avenue to connect the two cities. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, this straightforward drive is manageable and efficient for any traveler.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Alabama Highway | 32.3 mi | 38m |
| Main Street West | 13.7 mi | 23m |
| Woodward Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Wheeler Highway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| US 43 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Pine Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Doctor Hicks Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Pine Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
University of North Alabama Highway
— 32.3 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartselle, AL and Florence, AL.
1
Start on AL 36
14 mi
·
23 min
·
Main Street West
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto AL 157
32 mi
·
38 min
·
University of North Alabama Highway
Use the straight lane.
3
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Wheeler Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Woodward Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
437 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto South Pine Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Pine Street
8
Arrive at destination
North Pine Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.3 miles from Hartselle, 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 13.7 and 56.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
13.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway
Turn right onto AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
45.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
50.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17 / Woodward Avenue
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17 / Woodward Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
56.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.53 one way
$17.07 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $9.37 | $18.73 |
| premium | $4.56 | $10.14 | $20.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.47 | $24.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17 | 0 | $5.93 | $2.71 |
| Efficient EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.91 | $3.62 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Florence, AL
Late night in Florence on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 19m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a route that prioritizes local roads over major expressway stretches. Because there is no significant highway mileage, the longest uninterrupted stretch on the University of North Alabama Highway is 0 miles, meaning you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and transitions. The road's personality is defined by its local nature, requiring your full attention as you navigate through the regional landscape. Expect a steady, hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
8 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.3 mi on University of North Alabama Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 13.7 miles in near AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.1 miles (US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17 / Woodward Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
688 ft
499 ft
Total Climb
177 ft
Total Descent
293 ft
Highest Point
688 ft
~32.3 mi in
Elevation Range
189 ft
About the Cities
Arriving in Florence, AL
Full guide →Florence is a city in northwest Alabama near Mississippi and Tennessee.
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 1h 19m. Total distance: 56.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (3%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.3 miles on University of North Alabama Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.1 miles (US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17 / Woodward Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Florence, AL before heading back.
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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