Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
101.1 mi
163 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Bluff, AL
Tom Fisk
This 101.1-mile drive from Hoover to Cedar Bluff, Alabama, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major roadways, including I-59 and the John M. Harbert III Freeway, making for a straightforward journey. With an estimated fuel cost of around $15, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. This highway-focused drive is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.6 miles from Hoover, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 44 mi | 47m |
| Ewing Avenue | 20.3 mi | 23m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| I 759 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| Cedar Bluff Road | 3 mi | 3m |
| State Route 9 | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| South Albert Rains Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Clarence E Chestnut Jr Bypass | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hoover, AL and Cedar Bluff, AL.
Start on Whispering Pines Circle
Turn right onto Deo Dara Drive
Turn left onto Old Columbiana Road
Turn right
Turn left
At end of road, turn right
Turn slight left
Turn left onto US 31
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 459
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 59
Take the exit
Continue on I 759
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 411
Continue on US 411
Continue on US 411
Turn left onto US 411; AL 68
Turn left onto AL 68
Continue on AL 9; AL 68
Turn left onto AL 68
Turn left onto Old Hwy 9
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip from Hoover to Cedar Bluff offers flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after morning traffic has subsided. With no designated stops in the data, you can choose to make brief breaks as needed, keeping in mind the longest stretch on I-59 is 44 miles. Ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before you leave Hoover, as the estimated fuel cost is $15 for the entire journey.
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.
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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.6 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Bluff, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hoover, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hoover, AL
This is one driving day of about 101.1 miles and 1h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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.
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 50.6 miles from Hoover, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 69.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Deo Dara Drive
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 411 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$15.27 one way
$30.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $16.76 | $33.52 |
| premium | $4.56 | $18.15 | $36.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.32 | $44.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.62 | $4.85 |
| Efficient EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.85 | $4.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.15 | $6.47 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Hoover on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Night in Cedar Bluff on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Monument
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-focused experience for 69% of this 101.1-mile trip. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-59, including a continuous stretch of 44 miles. While the majority of the drive involves higher speeds on freeways like I-59 and the John M. Harbert III Freeway, the overall profile suggests a practical rather than a scenic journey. The road character remains consistent, offering an efficient path through Alabama.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and Ewing Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Deo Dara Drive.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.1 miles you will encounter 20 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 (Deo Dara Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Hoover is a city in the Birmingham urban area in Metropolitan Alabama, south of central Birmingham. While most nearby attractions in the area are in the city of Birmingham, Hoover is an important shopping/retail area.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 101.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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