How far is Gadsden, AL from Chelsea, AL?

The driving distance from Gadsden, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 74.6 miles (120.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58.8 miles (94.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 58m 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
74.62 mi
01h 29m
Flight
58.79 mi
94.62 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
58.79 mi
Kilometers
94.62 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.62 mi
Kilometers
120.09 km
Drive Time
01h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 8:02 PM CDT
Return by in Gadsden
Tue, Apr 14, 9:31 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gadsden
2026-04-14T18:32
Arrive Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 8:02 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:32 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
Argo
AL

Town in Jefferson County, Alabama, USA

From Gadsden
37.3 mi
00h 44m
To Chelsea
37.3 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
85°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 6th Street

    1205 ft · 38 sec · South 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    3250 ft · 2 min · Walnut Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 11th Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · South 11th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Black Creek Parkway

    1651 ft · 33 sec · Black Creek Parkway

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga

    1737 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    2.2 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Birmingham

    1864 ft · 46 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    44.6 mi · 48 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward I 459 South: Tuscaloosa, Montgomery

    2436 ft · 42 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on John M. Harbert III Freeway

    12.5 mi · 13 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 280: Mountain Brook, Childersburg

    888 ft · 22 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on US 280 East: Childersburg

    1.4 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto United States Highway 280

    9.8 mi · 14 min · United States Highway 280

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Chelsea Road

    1 km · 1 min · Chelsea Road

  15. 15

    Turn left

    100 m · 28 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Allen Drive

    52 m · 8 sec · Allen Drive

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Chelsea Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Birmingham
45 mi · 60%
John M. Harbert III Freeway
12.5 mi · 17%
United States Highway 280
9.85 mi · 13%
I-759 West
2.48 mi · 3%
South 11th Street
1.49 mi · 2%
US 280 East
0.85 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Birmingham

Merge slight right

44.6 mi · 00h 48m

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 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.8 mi
58.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Argo
00h 44m from Gadsden
Leave By
3:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gadsden and Sunny near Chelsea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 74.6 miles (120.1 km) and usually takes 01h 29m 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 37.3 miles from Gadsden and 37.3 miles from Chelsea.

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

The direct path is about 58.8 miles (94.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 3:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.96 one way or $19.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gadsden and Sunny near Chelsea.

Stop Ideas Near Argo

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

34 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Anniston

62 mi away
126 West 4th St
BUS

Brent, AL

102 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

113 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gadsden and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 58.79 mi (94.62 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Chelsea

Chelsea is a place in Alabama, United States.

Population0
Coordinates33.3401100, -86.6302600
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Start: Gadsden (-86.00639, 34.01434)
End: Chelsea (-86.63026, 33.34011)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 120 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.63 gal
9.97 L · about $9.96
Round trip
$19.92
5.26 gal · 19.94 L
Estimated CO2
23.4 kg one way
Round trip: 46.7 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $9.96 $19.92
Mid-grade $4.26 $11.20 $22.40
Premium $4.63 $12.16 $24.33
Diesel $5.42 $14.24 $28.48

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Gadsden and Chelsea. The current time is 18:32:48.

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.