Trip from Thomasville, AL to Montgomery, AL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 36m

Distance

106.3 mi

171 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 26m ★

6 AM

2h 36m

8 AM

2h 57m

10 AM

2h 44m

12 PM

2h 41m

3 PM

2h 45m

5 PM

2h 56m

8 PM

2h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Thomasville, AL

Jamie Kimball

Trip Overview

This 106.3-mile journey from Thomasville to Montgomery, Alabama, is a straightforward 2-hour and 36-minute drive, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on AL 21 and US 80, with a highway share of 72%, suggesting a focus on efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this trip is quite budget-friendly. Given its manageable length and the generally highway-focused profile, you won't need to break this drive up with an overnight stay. This route keeps you within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you travel through Alabama.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

53.2 miles from Thomasville, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
AL 21	43.7 mi	1h 4m
Macmillan Avenue	23.8 mi	35m
US 80	14 mi	18m
AL 28	9 mi	13m
State Route 5	7.5 mi	11m
Broad Street	3.5 mi	5m
US 43	2 mi	2m
West Fairview Avenue	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: AL 21 — 43.7 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thomasville, AL and Montgomery, AL.

Start on Wilson Avenue

52 ft · 4 sec · Wilson Avenue

Turn right onto West Front Street

345 ft · 11 sec · West Front Street

Turn right onto Nicol Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Nicol Avenue

Turn right onto US 43

2.0 mi · 2 min · US 43

Turn straight onto AL 5

7.5 mi · 11 min · State Route 5

Continue on AL 5

3.5 mi · 5 min · Broad Street

Turn right onto AL 10

24 mi · 35 min · Macmillan Avenue

Turn left onto AL 28

9.0 mi · 13 min · AL 28

Continue on AL 21

44 mi · 1 hr 4 min · AL 21

Turn right onto US 80; AL 21

11 mi · 13 min · US 80; AL 21

Keep slight left at fork onto US 80

3.1 mi · 4 min · US 80

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Exit 169 Toward Fairview Avenue

Turn slight right onto West Fairview Avenue

209 ft · 6 sec · West Fairview Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto West Fairview Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Fairview Avenue

Turn left onto Norman Bridge Road

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Norman Bridge Road

Continue on South Decatur Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · South Decatur Street

Continue on South Union Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · South Union Street

Arrive at destination

South Union Street

Trip Plan

With a total duration of 2 hours and 36 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 43.7 miles on AL 21, so plan your first stop after that segment if you like to break up longer drives. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $16, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Thomasville. Keep an eye out for the transition onto US 80 as you approach Montgomery; it's a key marker for the final leg of your journey.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 53.2 miles from Thomasville, AL, or about 1h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.7 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 23 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 53.2 miles or 1h 18m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montgomery, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Thomasville, 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 Thomasville, AL

This is one driving day of about 106.3 miles and 2h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Thomasville, 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 AL 21 for about 43.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fort Deposit, AL

53 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.

Popular next leg

Fort Deposit, AL to Montgomery, AL

33.8 mi · 41m

Pacing Suggestions

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13343561944

Visit website

Cook Out

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 10:30 am–2 pm

+18665470011

Visit website

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13349537662

Hangar 42 Coffee Shop

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13342398040

FLO Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Thomasville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883568911

Visit website

Downtown Montgomery EV Charger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Montgomery, Alabama

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Montgomery, Alabama

+18333994638

Visit website

The MOOseum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+13342651867

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 104.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West Front Street

Turn right onto West Front Street

Navigation decision point

13.4 mi into trip | ~19m in | AL 10 / Macmillan Avenue

Turn right onto AL 10 / Macmillan Avenue

Navigation decision point

100.8 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in | US 80

Keep slight left at fork onto US 80

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

103.9 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward Fairview Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 169 Toward Fairview Avenue

104.1 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | West Fairview Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto West Fairview Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.05 one way

$32.11 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$17.62	$35.25
premium	$4.56	$19.08	$38.16
diesel	$5.61	$23.47	$46.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	31.9	$11.16	$5.10
Efficient EV	26.6	$9.30	$4.25
EV Truck/SUV	42.5	$14.88	$6.80

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Thomasville, AL

Late night in Thomasville on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Montgomery, AL

Late night in Montgomery on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 36m 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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this 106.3-mile route, with 72% of the journey on higher-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 43.7 miles on AL 21, providing a good opportunity to settle in. While much of the drive will be on main arteries like AL 21 and US 80, transitions between these roads are part of the experience. The overall character is one of steady progress, designed for getting you from point A to point B efficiently.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 43.7 mi on AL 21.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 21 and Macmillan Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Front Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 36m 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 (West Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles (AL 10 / Macmillan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 100.8 miles (US 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

Arriving in Montgomery, AL

Full guide →

Montgomery is the capital of Alabama, in the River Heritage region of the state. Montgomery has also been recognized nationally for its downtown revitalization and new urbanism projects.

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 2h 36m. Total distance: 106.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 43.7 miles on AL 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Montgomery, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Thomasville, AL or browse trips ending in Montgomery, AL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.

Trip from Thomasville, AL to Montgomery, AL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Vintage Cafe

Baristas and Barristers

Vintage Cafe

Cook Out

Baristas and Barristers

Prevail Union | MGM

Hilltop Public House

Elevation Café

Red Tail Cafe

Rickenbacker's Touch & Go Coffee Shop

Hangar 42 Coffee Shop

FLO Charging Station

Downtown Montgomery EV Charger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Red E Charging Station

InCharge Energy Charging Station

The MOOseum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Thomasville, AL

Montgomery, AL

Same local time

Very similar conditions

2h 36m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Montgomery, AL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Montgomery, AL

More from Thomasville, AL

More trips to Montgomery, AL