How far is Forestdale, AL from Alabaster, AL?
The driving distance from Forestdale, AL to Alabaster, AL is about 29.6 miles (47.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23 miles (37 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The most populous city in Jefferson County, Alabama.
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 Forestdale and Alabaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forestdale and Alabaster.
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1
Start on Heflin Avenue East
957 ft · 31 sec · Heflin Avenue East
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2
Turn left onto Forestdale Boulevard
2.5 mi · 4 min · Forestdale Boulevard
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3
Continue on Bankhead Highway West
1.5 mi · 3 min · Bankhead Highway West
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4
Continue on Arkadelphia Road
2484 ft · 48 sec · Arkadelphia Road
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5
Continue on Arkadelphia Road
670 ft · 13 sec · Arkadelphia Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I-20 East, I-59 North: Downtown
1566 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 South: Montgomery
2580 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight right
21.6 mi · 25 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
1361 ft · 33 sec
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11
Turn right onto 1st Street South
1.1 mi · 2 min · 1st Street South
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12
Turn left
54 m · 18 sec
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13
Turn right
30 m · 7 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forestdale and Alabaster.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 65 South
Merge slight right
21.6 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Forestdale and Sunny near Alabaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forestdale to Alabaster?
The road trip is about 29.6 miles (47.6 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hoover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.8 miles from Forestdale and 14.8 miles from Alabaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23 miles (37 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.94 one way or $7.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Forestdale and Sunny near Alabaster.
Stop Ideas Near Hoover
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 Hoover.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forestdale and Alabaster. Straight-line distance: 22.98 mi (36.98 km).
#1 Forestdale
Unincorporated community in Alabama
| Population | 10,162 |
| Coordinates | 33.5701100, -86.8963800 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: (-86.816657, 33.244315)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 48 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $3.94 | $7.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $4.43 | $8.86 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $4.81 | $9.62 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $5.63 | $11.26 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.