How far is Florence, AL from Chelsea, AL?

The driving distance from Florence, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 72.6 miles (116.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
72.58 mi
01h 34m
Flight
61.06 mi
98.27 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Florence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
61.06 mi
Kilometers
98.27 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.58 mi
Kilometers
116.81 km
Drive Time
01h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 9:33 PM CDT
Return by in Florence
Tue, Apr 14, 11:08 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Florence
2026-04-14T19:58
Arrive Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 9:33 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Florence
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Hillsboro
AL

Town in Alabama, United States

From Florence
36.2 mi
00h 47m
To Chelsea
36.4 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 mph SSW
Destination
84°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 5:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Florence and Chelsea.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Florence and Chelsea.

  1. 1

    Start on North Pine Street

    2778 ft · 1 min · North Pine Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Crest Street

    40 m · 11 sec · Crest Street

  3. 3

    Turn right

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Woodward Avenue

    3.2 mi · 6 min · Woodward Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Wheeler Highway

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Wheeler Highway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Wheeler Highway

    8.4 mi · 10 min · Wheeler Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Joe Wheeler Highway

    20.2 mi · 25 min · Joe Wheeler Highway

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    8.6 mi · 13 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 6th Avenue Northeast

    1.8 mi · 3 min · 6th Avenue Northeast

  11. 11

    Continue on Huntsville-Decatur Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    16.7 mi · 18 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward AL 53: Jordan Lane

    1417 ft · 30 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Jordan Lane Southwest

    2054 ft · 46 sec · Jordan Lane Southwest

  15. 15

    Continue on Patton Road Southwest

    1 mi · 2 min · Patton Road Southwest

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Drake Avenue Southwest

    1 mi · 2 min · Drake Avenue Southwest

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Triana Boulevard Southwest

    2730 ft · 1 min · Triana Boulevard Southwest

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Triana Boulevard Southwest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Florence and Chelsea.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Joe Wheeler Highway
28.8 mi · 40%
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
19.7 mi · 27%
Wheeler Highway
12.7 mi · 18%
Woodward Avenue
4.27 mi · 6%
6th Avenue Northeast
1.83 mi · 3%
Drake Avenue Southwest
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Joe Wheeler Highway

Continue on Joe Wheeler Highway

20.2 mi · 00h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.5 mi
61.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hillsboro
00h 47m from Florence
Leave By
3:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Florence and Sunny near Chelsea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Florence to Chelsea?

The road trip is about 72.6 miles (116.8 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?

Hillsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from Florence and 36.4 miles from Chelsea.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 3:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.69 one way or $19.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Florence and Sunny near Chelsea.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Florence and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 61.06 mi (98.27 km).

Florence

#1 Florence

The county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama.

Population41,166
Coordinates34.7998100, -87.6772500
Altitude167
CountryUnited States
Chelsea

#2 Chelsea

City in Madison County, Alabama, United States

Population14,608
Coordinates34.6906500, -86.6099900
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Florence (-87.67725, 34.79981)
End: Chelsea (-86.60999, 34.69065)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 117 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.56 gal
9.7 L · about $9.69
Round trip
$19.39
5.12 gal · 19.4 L
Estimated CO2
22.8 kg one way
Round trip: 45.5 kg / 100 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $9.69 $19.39
Mid-grade $4.26 $10.90 $21.81
Premium $4.63 $11.84 $23.68
Diesel $5.42 $13.86 $27.72

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 · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Florence and Chelsea. The current time is 19:58:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.