Prichard, AL to Gadsden, AL is 309.9 miles and takes about 5h 39m via I-65 and I-59, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The route is almost entirely on major highways, making it a straightforward trip for those prioritizing efficiency. With a single recommended day, you can complete this drive without feeling too rushed, though you could also break it up if desired.
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
155 miles from Prichard, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
239.6 mi
4h 18m
I 59
44 mi
47m
John M. Harbert III Freeway
17.1 mi
18m
I 759
2.2 mi
2m
South 11th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Walnut Street
0.6 mi
1m
I 165
0.6 mi
<1m
Black Creek Parkway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 239.6 mi, about 4h 18m
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
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 Prichard, AL and Gadsden, AL.
1
Start on East Azan Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·East Azan Street
2
Turn left onto North Wilson Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Wilson Avenue
3
Turn right
0.4 mi·50 sec
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Merge onto I 165
0.6 mi·40 sec·I 165
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 65: Montgomery
7
Merge onto I 65
240 mi·4 hr 18 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 250Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, GadsdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 459
17 mi·18 min·John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 33BToward I 59 North: GadsdenUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·15 sec·this road
Exit 33AToward I-59 North: Gadsden
13
Merge onto I 59
44 mi·47 min·I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·51 sec
Exit 182Toward I 759: Gadsden
15
Continue on I 759
2.2 mi·2 min·I 759
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 2Toward Black Creek Parkway
17
Turn slight left onto Black Creek Parkway
0.5 mi·52 sec·Black Creek Parkway
18
Turn slight right onto South 11th Street
1.5 mi·2 min·South 11th Street
19
Turn right onto Walnut Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
20
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·South 6th Street
21
Arrive at destination
South 6th Street
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Prichard in the morning to make good use of the daylight for this 5h 39m drive. With a fuel cost estimated around $43, it's wise to fill up before you leave or at your first significant stop. Since this is a single-day route, you have the flexibility to stop as needed, but the longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 240 miles, so plan for a break before then if needed. Keep an eye on the John M. Harbert III Freeway as it can experience heavier traffic closer to Gadsden.
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 155 miles from Prichard, AL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.6 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 68 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155 miles or 2h 48m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gadsden, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Prichard, 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 Prichard, AL
This is one driving day of about 309.9 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Prichard, 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 239.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 259.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 65: Montgomery
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
241.6 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
241.9 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
259.6 mi into trip|~4h 42m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.02 one way
$86.04 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$48.13
$96.26
premium
$4.29
$52.33
$104.66
diesel
$4.80
$58.51
$117.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93
1
$32.54
$14.88
Efficient EV
77.5
0
$27.12
$12.40
EV Truck/SUV
124
1
$43.39
$19.83
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Prichard, AL
Late night
in Prichard on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
N 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:23PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Destination
Gadsden, AL
Late night
in Gadsden on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:23PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
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
6 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 39m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 246
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 98% of this 309.9-mile drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 239.6 miles on I-65. This means you'll experience mostly highway cruising with frequent exits and merging traffic as you pass through populated areas. The transition to non-highway driving will occur very late in the trip, leaving the majority of your time on the interstate.
98% 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: 239.6 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 13 significant decision points across 309.9 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
790 ft-1 ft
Total Climb
1,163 ft
Total Descent
639 ft
Highest Point
790 ft
~265.9 mi in
Elevation Range
791 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Prichard, AL to Gadsden, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscaloosa along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 309.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.6 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Gadsden, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gadsden, AL before the return drive.
