How far is Alabaster, AL from Rainbow City, AL?
The driving distance from Alabaster, AL to Rainbow City, AL is about 78.8 miles (126.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 66.3 miles (106.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 30m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Jefferson County, Alabama, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alabaster and Rainbow City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster and Rainbow City.
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1
Start on the route
30 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left
54 m · 15 sec
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3
Turn right onto 1st Street South
1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Street South
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4
Take the ramp left toward I-65 North: Birmingham
1613 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
1318 ft · 32 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto John M. Harbert III Freeway
17.1 mi · 18 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 59 North: Gadsden
1756 ft · 41 sec
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10
Continue on I-59 North: Gadsden
890 ft · 15 sec
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11
Merge slight left
43.2 mi · 46 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
3097 ft · 1 min
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13
Turn right onto Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
707 ft · 15 sec · Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
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14
Continue on West Grand Avenue
3.8 mi · 7 min · West Grand Avenue
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15
Turn slight right
33 m · 4 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alabaster and Rainbow City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-59 North
Merge slight left
43.2 mi · 00h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Alabaster and Sunny near Rainbow City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alabaster to Rainbow City?
The road trip is about 78.8 miles (126.8 km) and usually takes 01h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Argo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.4 miles from Alabaster and 39.4 miles from Rainbow City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 66.3 miles (106.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.99 one way or $21.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alabaster and Sunny near Rainbow City.
Stop Ideas Near Argo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Argo.
Birmingham
Anniston
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alabaster and Rainbow City. Straight-line distance: 66.31 mi (106.71 km).
#1 Alabaster
Suburb city of Birmingham, located in Shelby County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 33,701 |
| Coordinates | 33.2442800, -86.8163800 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rainbow City
City in Alabama, United States
| Population | 9,611 |
| Coordinates | 33.9548200, -86.0419200 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rainbow City (-86.04192, 33.95482)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 127 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $10.99 | $21.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.31 | $24.63 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $13.44 | $26.88 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $16.50 | $32.99 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Alabama · Oct 15, 2026