How far is Gadsden, AL from Arab, AL?

The driving distance from Gadsden, AL to Arab, AL is about 45.2 miles (72.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35 miles (56.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 12m 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
45.16 mi
01h 06m
Flight
34.98 mi
56.29 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gadsden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.98 mi
Kilometers
56.29 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.16 mi
Kilometers
72.67 km
Drive Time
01h 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 01h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arab
Tue, May 26, 4:08 AM CDT
Return by in Gadsden
Tue, May 26, 5:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gadsden
2026-05-26T03:02
Arrive Arab
Tue, May 26, 4:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gadsden
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
Walnut Grove
AL

Human settlement in Etowah County, Alabama, United States of America

From Gadsden
22.6 mi
00h 33m
To Arab
22.6 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Gadsden and Arab.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gadsden and Arab.

  1. 1

    Start on South 6th Street

    1039 ft · 33 sec · South 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Meighan Boulevard

    3.7 mi · 7 min · West Meighan Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest

    2438 ft · 51 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  5. 5

    Turn slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto US 278

    2.9 mi · 4 min · US 278

  7. 7

    Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

    157 m · 8 sec · Thompson Bridge Road

  8. 8

    Continue on US 278

    1.6 mi · 2 min · US 278

  9. 9

    Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

    21.8 mi · 31 min · Thompson Bridge Road

  10. 10

    Turn right

    10.5 mi · 14 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    772 ft · 21 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Cullman Road

    2128 ft · 46 sec · Cullman Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street

    141 m · 13 sec · North Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gadsden and Arab.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Thompson Bridge Road
22.1 mi · 49%
US 278
4.54 mi · 10%
West Meighan Boulevard
3.72 mi · 8%
5th Avenue Northeast
1.4 mi · 3%
4th Street Northwest
0.46 mi · 1%
Cullman Road
0.4 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Thompson Bridge Road

Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

21.8 mi · 00h 31m

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 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.2 mi
35 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Walnut Grove
00h 33m from Gadsden
Leave By
4:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gadsden and Showers And Thunderstorms near Arab.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gadsden to Arab?

The road trip is about 45.2 miles (72.7 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?

Walnut Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.6 miles from Gadsden and 22.6 miles from Arab.

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

The direct path is about 35 miles (56.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 4:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.02 one way or $12.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Gadsden and Showers And Thunderstorms near Arab.

Stop Ideas Near Walnut Grove

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Walnut Grove, 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 Walnut Grove.

RAIL

Anniston

64 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Birmingham

77 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gadsden and Arab. Straight-line distance: 34.98 mi (56.29 km).

Gadsden

#1 Gadsden

City in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.

Population34,816
Coordinates34.0143400, -86.0063900
Altitude167
CountryUnited States
Arab

#2 Arab

City in Marshall County, Alabama, US

Population8,406
Coordinates34.3181500, -86.4958200
Altitude336
CountryUnited States
Start: Gadsden (-86.00639, 34.01434)
End: Arab (-86.49582, 34.31815)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.59 gal
6.03 L · about $6.02
Round trip
$12.04
3.18 gal · 12.06 L
Estimated CO2
14.1 kg one way
Round trip: 28.3 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $6.02 $12.04
Mid-grade $4.26 $6.77 $13.54
Premium $4.63 $7.35 $14.71
Diesel $5.42 $8.61 $17.22

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Gadsden and Arab. The current time is 03:02:29.

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.