Origin
Pell City, AL
Morning in Pell City on Sunday
Local time
9:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pell City, AL to Alabaster, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
58m
Distance
50.4 mi
81 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pell City, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Alabaster, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit through Alabama, the 50.4-mile trip from Pell City to Alabaster is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 58 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is short enough that you won't need an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $8 on fuel, making it a very economical commute within the Southeast region. By utilizing a combination of I-20, the John M. Harbert III Freeway, and I-65, you stay on major thoroughfares for the duration of the trip. Whether you are heading to Alabaster for business or personal errands, this highway-focused drive offers a reliable and efficient way to cross the state.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 21.2 mi | 22m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 12.8 mi | 13m |
| I 65 | 10.9 mi | 11m |
| Martin Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 1st Street South | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Comer Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cogswell Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 21.2 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pell City, AL and Alabaster, AL.
1
Start on US 78
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Cogswell Avenue
2
Turn left onto Comer Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Comer Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 231
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 20
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 136
Toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 459 South: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
8
Merge onto I 459
13 mi
·
13 min
·
John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 15
Toward I 65: Birmingham, Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 65
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
13
Turn right onto US 31
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street South
14
Turn left
177 ft
·
18 sec
15
Turn right
97 ft
·
7 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.2 miles from Pell City, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 37.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
23.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden
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 136
Toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden
6
23.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 459 South: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 459 South: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
8
37 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Birmingham, Montgomery
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 15
Toward I 65: Birmingham, Montgomery
7
37.2 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.61 one way
$15.22 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $8.36 | $16.71 |
| premium | $4.56 | $9.05 | $18.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.13 | $22.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.29 | $2.42 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.41 | $2.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.06 | $3.23 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% 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
Alabaster, AL
Morning in Alabaster on Sunday
Local time
9:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
58m 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?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 89% of this 50.4-mile trip consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating major arteries, starting with a significant 21.2-mile stretch on I-20. The road feels functional and efficient, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding backroads or scenic detours. Because the route relies on large interchanges like the John M. Harbert III Freeway and I-65, the character of the drive is consistent and predictable. You won't find yourself navigating technical local roads, meaning you can settle into a steady pace from the moment you merge onto the interstate until you reach your destination.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.2 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 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 1.9 miles in near I 20.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 50.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Pell City, AL and Alabaster, AL, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa, Gadsden and Montgomery.
Tuscaloosa
23.1 mi in
|
~26m
Gadsden
23.1 mi in
|
~26m
Montgomery
37 mi in
|
~41m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 58m. Total distance: 50.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.2 miles on I 20. 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 Alabaster, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 1.9 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Alabaster, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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