Origin
Semmes, AL
Late night in Semmes on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Semmes, AL to Alabaster, 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
4h 25m
Distance
239.1 mi
385 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 12m
★
6 AM
4h 25m
8 AM
4h 52m
10 AM
4h 34m
12 PM
4h 32m
3 PM
4h 36m
5 PM
4h 50m
8 PM
4h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Semmes, AL
MAMADO CONF
Alabaster, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Semmes, AL to Alabaster, AL is 239.1 miles and takes about 4h 25m via I 65, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Alabama. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal complexity, ideal for a quick transit between these two points. Given the relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a practical choice for a single-day journey when you need to cover ground efficiently.
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
119.6 miles from Semmes, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 224.5 mi | 4h 2m |
| Industrial Parkway | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| Moffett Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Schillinger Road North | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| 1st Street South | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Newburn Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 224.5 mi, about 4h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Semmes, AL and Alabaster, AL.
1
Start on this road
118 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right
133 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn right onto US 98
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Moffett Road
4
Turn sharp left onto CR 31
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Schillinger Road North
5
Continue on Newburn Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Newburn Road
6
Turn right onto AL 158
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Industrial Parkway
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 65 North: Montgomery
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 65
225 mi
·
4 hr 2 min
·
I 65
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn slight left onto US 31
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street South
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left
177 ft
·
18 sec
12
Turn right
97 ft
·
7 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 25m drive, consider leaving Semmes in the morning to arrive in Alabaster with plenty of afternoon time. With a fuel cost estimated around $36, it's wise to fill up before you get too far into the longest stretch on I 65. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for one stop around the halfway point will help you stay refreshed. Keep an eye on the mileage as you approach Alabaster for the change from highway to local roads.
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 119.6 miles from Semmes, AL, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.5 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alabaster, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Semmes, 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 Semmes, AL
This is one driving day of about 239.1 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Semmes, 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 224.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.6 miles from Semmes, 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 224.5 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 239.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
CR 31 / Schillinger Road North
Turn sharp left onto CR 31 / Schillinger Road North
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Turn left toward I 65 North: Montgomery
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 65 North: Montgomery
7
237.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
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.
Toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
5
239.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.11 one way
$72.22 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $39.64 | $79.28 |
| premium | $4.56 | $42.92 | $85.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.79 | $105.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.11 | $11.48 |
| Efficient EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.92 | $9.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.47 | $15.30 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Alabaster, AL
Late night in Alabaster on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
3 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
4h 25m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for 97% of this 239.1-mile drive, with the longest continuous stretch covering 224.5 miles on I 65. This means you'll experience mostly high-speed cruising. Expect frequent exits for much of the drive, indicating a well-trafficked corridor. The transition to surface roads happens late in the trip, near your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.5 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Industrial Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 25m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.4 miles (CR 31 / Schillinger Road North): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 239.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.5 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.4 miles (CR 31 / Schillinger Road North): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Alabaster, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Alabaster, AL
More trips to Alabaster, AL
Explore more options from Semmes, AL or browse trips ending in Alabaster, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.