Spanning 264.2 miles across Alabama, this trek between Pennsylvania and Double Springs is a straightforward highway-focused drive. You can expect to spend about 5 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable journey for a single day of travel. With a fuel budget of approximately $40, it is a relatively cost-effective trip to plan. While the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, it remains an efficient way to navigate the Southeast region. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, one well-planned stop is all you really need to keep the momentum going.
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
132.1 miles from Pennsylvania, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 43
178.1 mi
3h 37m
AL 13
32.8 mi
46m
I 20
25.8 mi
27m
US 278
13 mi
17m
Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi
6m
I 359
2.5 mi
2m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
1.5 mi
2m
Main Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 178.1 mi, about 3h 37m
Traffic on I-359
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,412 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~125 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.3×
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 Pennsylvania, AL and Double Springs, AL.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi·1 min·this road
2
Turn left onto US 43
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 43
3
Merge onto US 43
24 mi·27 min·US 43
4
Turn left onto US 43
17 mi·19 min·US 43
5
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
0.9 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
6
Continue on US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cedar Avenue
7
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
8
Turn right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·US 43
9
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
10
Turn right onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·Tuscaloosa Street
11
Turn left onto CR 208
1.2 mi·2 min·M L King Highway
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
13
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi·27 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
2.1 mi·2 min·I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
17
Continue on US 43; AL 69
1.5 mi·2 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto 10th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·10th Street
Use the left lane.
19
At end of road, turn right onto Main Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Avenue
20
Continue on US 43
29 mi·39 min·US 43
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on AL 13
33 mi·46 min·AL 13
22
Continue on US 278; AL 13
13 mi·17 min·US 278; AL 13
23
Take the ramp
154 ft·4 sec
24
Turn straight onto AL 195
1.2 mi·2 min·AL 195
25
Turn left onto Blake Drive
4 ft·0 sec·Blake Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Blake Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, your best bet is to hit the road early to avoid fatigue during the 5-hour and 34-minute drive. Given that you have a single stop planned, choose a location that breaks up that long 178.1-mile segment on US 43 to stretch your legs effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $40 estimate may fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current gas prices along the highway corridors. Having flexibility in your departure time is a major advantage here, as it allows you to bypass peak traffic hours on I 20. Prioritize comfort and hydration to ensure you arrive in Double Springs 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 132.1 miles from Pennsylvania, AL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.1 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 miles or 2h 34m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Double Springs, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania, AL
This is one driving day of about 264.2 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Pennsylvania, 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 178.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.5 and 186.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
126.5 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|US 43 / East Capitol Street
Turn left onto US 43 / East Capitol Street
Navigation decision point
5
157 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
182.8 mi into trip|~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 359 North, I 69 North: 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 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
5
183 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|I 359; US 11; AL 69
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
186.9 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|10th Street
Turn left onto 10th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.61 one way
$81.22 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$44.91
$89.83
premium
$4.65
$48.34
$96.67
diesel
$5.35
$55.65
$111.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.74
$12.68
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.12
$10.57
EV Truck/SUV
105.7
1
$36.99
$16.91
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Pennsylvania, AL
Afternoon
in Pennsylvania on Wednesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Double Springs, AL
Afternoon
in Double Springs on Wednesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph2% chanceLive 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
9 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
5h 34m 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 dominated by high-speed travel, as 96 percent of your time will be spent on highways like US 43, AL 13, and I 20. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 178.1-mile stretch on US 43, which serves as the backbone of this route. Because the drive is so highway-intensive, you should prepare for a consistent, fast-paced rhythm rather than the stop-and-go nature of local backroads. As you transition between these major arteries, the road maintains a focus on efficiency. It is a functional drive designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal deviation.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.1 mi on US 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and AL 13. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 126.5 miles in near US 43 / East Capitol Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 264.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 126.5 miles (US 43 / East Capitol Street): Navigation decision point; at 157 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
823 ft21 ft
Total Climb
986 ft
Total Descent
184 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~264.2 mi in
Elevation Range
802 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 34m. Total distance: 264.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.1 miles on US 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 126.5 miles (US 43 / East Capitol Street): Navigation decision point; at 157 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Double Springs, AL before the return drive.
