How far is Florence, AL from Smiths Station, AL?

The driving distance from Florence, AL to Smiths Station, AL is about 249.2 miles (401.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 215.3 miles (346.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
249.21 mi
05h 06m
Flight
215.31 mi
346.5 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Florence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
215.31 mi
Kilometers
346.5 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
249.21 mi
Kilometers
401.06 km
Drive Time
05h 06m

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 05h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Smiths Station
Tue, May 12, 11:27 PM CDT
Return by in Florence
Wed, May 13, 4:33 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Florence
2026-05-12T18:21
Arrive Smiths Station
Tue, May 12, 11:27 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:06 AM to 1:06 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Florence
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Cahaba Heights
AL

Neighborhood of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, United States

From Florence
124.6 mi
02h 33m
To Smiths Station
124.6 mi
02h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph ENE
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Florence and Smiths Station.

  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 right to continue on University of North Alabama Highway

    55.1 mi · 1 hr 6 min · University of North Alabama Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I-65 South: Birmingham

    1557 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Heroes Highway

    43.8 mi · 47 min · Heroes Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale

    2715 ft · 38 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis

    2666 ft · 38 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery

    1940 ft · 28 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden

    1037 ft · 25 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right

    1 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown

    1261 ft · 31 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on US 31 South, US 280 East

    2557 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Expressway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens

    17.7 mi · 25 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit straight

    91.2 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit left toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City

    1185 ft · 29 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight right

    80 m · 6 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto Columbus Parkway

    16.9 mi · 20 min · Columbus Parkway

  25. 25

    Turn right onto County Road 298

    1791 ft · 51 sec · County Road 298

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road 243

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
5 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 280 East
109 mi · 44%
University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi · 22%
Heroes Highway
43.8 mi · 18%
Columbus Parkway
16.9 mi · 7%
Wheeler Highway
4.35 mi · 2%
Woodward Avenue
4.27 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 280 East

Take the exit straight

91.2 mi · 01h 52m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.9 mi
215.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cahaba Heights
02h 33m from Florence
Leave By
6:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Florence and Mostly Sunny near Smiths Station.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Florence to Smiths Station?

The road trip is about 249.2 miles (401.1 km) and usually takes 05h 06m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Cahaba Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.6 miles from Florence and 124.6 miles from Smiths Station.

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

The direct path is about 215.3 miles (346.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.29 one way or $66.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Florence and Mostly Sunny near Smiths Station.

Stop Ideas Near Cahaba Heights

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Cahaba Heights, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cahaba Heights.

RAIL

Birmingham

9 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

70 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

83 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

86 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Florence and Smiths Station. Straight-line distance: 215.31 mi (346.5 km).

Florence

#1 Florence

The county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama.

Population41,166
Coordinates34.7998100, -87.6772500
Altitude167
CountryUnited States
Smiths Station

#2 Smiths Station

Town in Lee County, Alabama, United States

Population5,804
Coordinates32.5401400, -85.0985500
Altitude162
CountryUnited States
Start: Florence (-87.67725, 34.79981)
End: Smiths Station (-85.09855, 32.54014)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 401 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.79 gal
33.29 L · about $33.29
Round trip
$66.58
17.58 gal · 66.58 L
Estimated CO2
78.1 kg one way
Round trip: 156.2 kg / 344 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $33.29 $66.58
Mid-grade $4.26 $37.44 $74.87
Premium $4.63 $40.65 $81.31
Diesel $5.42 $47.60 $95.20

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Florence and Smiths Station. The current time is 18:21:08.

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.