Chilton County Rest Area (Northbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Pennsylvania, AL to Stevenson, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 55m
Distance
374.2 mi
602 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 44m
★
6 AM
6h 56m
8 AM
7h 19m
10 AM
7h 4m
12 PM
7h 1m
3 PM
7h 5m
5 PM
7h 17m
8 PM
6h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pennsylvania, AL
K6
Stevenson, AL
Taryn Elliott
Trip Overview
Pennsylvania, AL to Stevenson, AL is 374.2 miles and takes about 6h 55m via I 65 and I 59, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend the majority of your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a day trip or a quick leg of a longer journey.
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
187.1 miles from Pennsylvania, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 229.8 mi | 4h 7m |
| I 59 | 80.8 mi | 1h 26m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| John T Reid Parkway | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| Tammy Little Drive | 12.6 mi | 16m |
| East Main Street | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Glenn Boulevard Southwest | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| AL 117 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 229.8 mi, about 4h 7m
Traffic on I-459
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,603 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~191 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Stevenson, AL.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 43
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 43
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
4
Merge onto I 65
230 mi
·
4 hr 7 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 250
Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 459
17 mi
·
18 min
·
John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 33B
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
this road
Exit 33A
Toward I-59 North: Gadsden
10
Merge onto I 59
81 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 218
Toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville
12
Turn left onto AL 35
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Glenn Boulevard Southwest
13
Continue on AL 35
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
East Main Street
14
Continue on AL 35
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Tammy Little Drive
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 72
16
Merge onto US 72
17 mi
·
19 min
·
John T Reid Parkway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Toward AL 117: Stevenson
18
Turn left onto AL 117
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
AL 117
19
Turn left onto AL 117
98 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Main Street
20
Turn right
111 ft
·
8 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 55m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With 374.2 miles, you could comfortably complete this in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a brief stop for lunch around the halfway point would be ideal. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 229.8-mile stretch on I 65, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $59 is a good baseline for your budget.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.1 miles from Pennsylvania, AL, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 229.8 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 82 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.1 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stevenson, 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 374.2 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 I 65 for about 229.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.1 miles from Pennsylvania, 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 229.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Conecuh County Rest Area (Southbound)
0 mi from route
Saint Clair County Rest Area (Northbound)
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Chilton County Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Butler County Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Butler County Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Saint Clair County Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 329.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
230.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
230.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
248.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m 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
6
329.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 218
Toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.51 one way
$115.03 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $63.61 | $127.23 |
| premium | $4.65 | $68.46 | $136.92 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $78.82 | $157.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.3 | 1 | $39.29 | $17.96 |
| Efficient EV | 93.6 | 1 | $32.74 | $14.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.7 | 1 | $52.39 | $23.95 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Pennsylvania, AL
Afternoon in Pennsylvania on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Stevenson, AL
Afternoon in Stevenson on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph
0% chance
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
11 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
6h 55m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Russell Cave National Monument
National Monument
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifa...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 374.2
View on nps.gov
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 232.3
View on nps.gov
Freedom Riders National Monument
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 283.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 93% of the drive on major roads like I 65 and I 59. You'll experience a long stretch of 229.8 miles on I 65 before transitioning. Expect many exits and potential for urban merging as you navigate through populated areas. The final leg will likely involve more surface roads as you approach Stevenson.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 229.8 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near I 65.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 374.2 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 0.8 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 230.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,312 ft
21 ft
Total Climb
1,557 ft
Total Descent
943 ft
Highest Point
1,312 ft
~347.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,291 ft
Notable High Points
1,312 ft at ~347.5 miles
+527 ft prominence
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 Pennsylvania, AL and Stevenson, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, 35: Fort Payne and Rainsville.
Gadsden
230.6 mi in
|
~4h 10m
Tuscaloosa
230.6 mi in
|
~4h 10m
35: Fort Payne
329.9 mi in
|
~5h 57m
Rainsville
329.9 mi in
|
~5h 57m
About the Cities
Starting in Pennsylvania, AL
Full guide →“Keystone State” · Founded 1787
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...
- • SS United States — American ocean liner
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 6h 55m. Total distance: 374.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 229.8 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 rest areas or service plazas 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.
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 Stevenson, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 230.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Russell Cave National Monument, Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stevenson, AL before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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