Origin
Vestavia Hills, AL
Late night in Vestavia Hills on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Vestavia Hills, AL to Boaz, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
78.5 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Vestavia Hills, AL
Kelly
Boaz, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Vestavia Hills to Boaz is 78.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 35 minutes via I 59 and US 278, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip entirely within Alabama, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it a practical option for a quick drive. Given its short duration, this route is ideal for a same-day excursion, allowing plenty of time for activities at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Vestavia Hills, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 52.7 mi | 56m |
| US 278 | 13.9 mi | 17m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Montgomery Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Messer Airport Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue North | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Independence Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue Northeast | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 52.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vestavia Hills, AL and Boaz, AL.
1
Start on this road
142 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Tremont Drive
477 ft
·
22 sec
·
Tremont Drive
3
Turn right
341 ft
·
26 sec
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 31
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Montgomery Highway
5
Turn straight onto US 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Independence Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 31
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
7
Take the exit
484 ft
·
11 sec
Toward US 11 North: 1st Avenue North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
471 ft
·
11 sec
Toward US 11 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto US 11
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue North
10
Turn left onto 41st Street North
422 ft
·
20 sec
·
41st Street North
11
Turn right onto Messer Airport Highway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Messer Airport Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Gadsden, Atlanta
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 20; I 59
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 20; I 59
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
53 mi
·
56 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 183
Toward US 278, US 431: Attalla, Gadsden
16
Turn left onto US 278; US 431
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
4th Street Northwest
18
Turn slight right onto US 278; US 431
14 mi
·
17 min
·
US 278; US 431
Use the right lane.
19
Turn sharp left onto AL 168
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mill Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto AL 205
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Broad Street
21
Turn left onto Bel Air Street
210 ft
·
11 sec
·
Bel Air Street
22
Turn left onto College Avenue
237 ft
·
10 sec
·
College Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
College Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour 35 minute drive time, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time in Boaz. With only 78.5 miles, you won't need many stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 52.7 miles on I 59. The $12 fuel estimate suggests it's an economical drive. Flexibility is key here; you can easily adjust your departure time based on traffic or your schedule.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.3 miles from Vestavia Hills, AL, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.7 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boaz, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Vestavia Hills, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Vestavia Hills, AL
This is one driving day of about 78.5 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Vestavia Hills, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 52.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from Vestavia Hills, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 77.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward US 11 North: 1st Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 North: 1st Avenue North
8
5.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 North
6
7.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
Messer Airport Highway
Turn right onto Messer Airport Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
7
77.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
AL 168 / East Mill Road
Turn sharp left onto AL 168 / East Mill Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.86 one way
$23.71 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.01 | $26.03 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.09 | $28.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.33 | $34.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.24 | $3.77 |
| Efficient EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.99 | $5.02 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Boaz, AL
Late night in Boaz on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Oneonta, AL
39 mi in
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
31 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
1h 35m 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?
This route leans heavily into highway driving, with 88% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 52.7 miles on I 59, which offers a consistent pace. The profile is largely highway-focused, meaning you can expect relatively high speeds and fewer turns. While the Red Mountain Expressway provides an initial urban connection, the bulk of the drive is on interstates and US highways, offering a predictable driving experience.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.7 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 278. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles (Messer Airport Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Vestavia Hills, AL and Boaz, AL, road signs point toward Atlanta and Gadsden.
Atlanta
8.6 mi in
|
~14m
Gadsden
61.7 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 78.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.7 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Boaz, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles (Messer Airport Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Boaz, 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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