Origin
Montgomery, AL
Morning in Montgomery on Tuesday
Local time
8:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montgomery, AL to Locust Fork, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
124.6 mi
201 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Locust Fork, AL
Thomas Crowder
Trip Overview
Montgomery to Locust Fork is 124.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 28 minutes via I 65, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region towards another part of the Southeast. Most of your travel will be on the interstate, making for a relatively quick and straightforward drive. Given the short distance and duration, this is a perfect one-day trip, allowing plenty of time for your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.3 miles from Montgomery, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 78.2 mi | 1h 24m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| New Bradford Highway | 15.9 mi | 22m |
| Sweeny Hollow Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| I 59 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Chalkville Road | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Center Point Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East South Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery, AL and Locust Fork, AL.
1
Start on South Union Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Union Street
2
Turn left onto East South Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East South Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
4
Merge onto I 85
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 85
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
6
Merge onto I 65; US 82
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 250
Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
Use 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 33B
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
this road
Exit 33A
Toward I-59 North: Gadsden
12
Merge onto I 59
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 59
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 141
Toward Trussville, Pinson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn slight left
128 ft
·
10 sec
Exit 141
Toward Trussville, Pinson
15
Turn left onto CR 10
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Chalkville Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on Sweeny Hollow Road
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Sweeny Hollow Road
17
Turn right onto AL 75
169 ft
·
3 sec
·
Center Point Parkway
18
Continue on AL 75
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Center Point Road
19
Turn sharp left onto AL 151
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
AL 151
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on this road
200 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
21
Turn slight right onto AL 79
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
New Bradford Road
22
Continue on AL 79
16 mi
·
22 min
·
New Bradford Highway
23
Turn right onto Old Town Road
385 ft
·
19 sec
·
Old Town Road
24
Turn right onto Spunky Hollow Road
41 ft
·
1 sec
·
Spunky Hollow Road
25
Arrive at destination
Spunky Hollow Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2 hour 28 minute drive, consider leaving Montgomery after morning rush hour, perhaps around 9:30 AM. With only 124.6 miles, you won't need many stops, but it's wise to fill up your fuel tank before you leave Montgomery, as the estimated fuel cost is $19 and there are no designated stops on this route. The longest stretch without services is about 78.2 miles on I 65, so plan accordingly for any breaks. Since this is a short, same-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart later in the day if needed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.3 miles from Montgomery, AL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 27 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Locust Fork, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, AL
This is one driving day of about 124.6 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Montgomery, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 78.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.3 miles from Montgomery, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.2 miles.
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 101.2 — 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
|
East South Street
Turn left onto East South Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
79.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
79.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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
8
97.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
8
101.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward Trussville, Pinson
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 141
Toward Trussville, Pinson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.82 one way
$37.64 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $20.66 | $41.31 |
| premium | $4.56 | $22.36 | $44.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.51 | $55.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.08 | $5.98 |
| Efficient EV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.90 | $4.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.44 | $7.97 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Locust Fork, AL
Morning in Locust Fork on Tuesday
Local time
8:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live 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
5 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
2h 28m 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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 79% of the 124.6 miles spent on interstates like I 65. You'll encounter a long stretch of 78.2 miles on I 65 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to see a higher density of exits and traffic merging as you begin on John M. Harbert III Freeway out of Montgomery.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.2 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. 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 East South Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 124.6 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 (East South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Montgomery, AL and Locust Fork, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Trussville and Pinson.
Gadsden
79.7 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Tuscaloosa
79.7 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Trussville
101.2 mi in
|
~1h 51m
Pinson
101.2 mi in
|
~1h 51m
About the Cities
Starting in Montgomery, AL
Full guide →Montgomery is the capital of Alabama, in the River Heritage region of the state. Montgomery has also been recognized nationally for its downtown revitalization and new urbanism projects.
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 2h 28m. Total distance: 124.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.2 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Locust Fork, 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. 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 (East South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Locust Fork, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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