How far is Gadsden, AL from Chelsea, AL?

The driving distance from Gadsden, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 74.9 miles (120.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58 miles (93.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 33m 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
74.86 mi
01h 46m
Flight
58.04 mi
93.41 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
58.04 mi
Kilometers
93.41 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.86 mi
Kilometers
120.48 km
Drive Time
01h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Sat, Apr 18, 5:45 AM CDT
Return by in Gadsden
Sat, Apr 18, 7:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gadsden
2026-04-18T03:58
Arrive Chelsea
Sat, Apr 18, 5:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:56 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
Arab
AL

City in Marshall County, Alabama, US

From Gadsden
37.5 mi
00h 53m
To Chelsea
37.4 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW

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

    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

    38.4 mi · 51 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    590 ft · 14 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Memorial Parkway Southwest North Frontage Road

    3113 ft · 1 min · Memorial Parkway Southwest North Frontage Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Airport Road Southwest

    1.1 km · 2 min · Airport Road Southwest

  14. 14

    Continue on Johnson Road Southwest

    1 mi · 3 min · Johnson Road Southwest

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Triana Boulevard Southwest

    15 m · 2 sec · Triana Boulevard Southwest

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Triana Boulevard Southwest

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Thompson Bridge Road
22 mi · 29%
US 278
4.54 mi · 6%
West Meighan Boulevard
3.72 mi · 5%
5th Avenue Northeast
1.4 mi · 2%
Johnson Road Southwest
1.03 mi · 1%
Airport Road Southwest
0.69 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

38.4 mi · 00h 51m

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 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.9 mi
58 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arab
00h 53m from Gadsden
Leave By
2:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Gadsden and Partly 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 74.9 miles (120.5 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?

Arab is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.5 miles from Gadsden and 37.4 miles from Chelsea.

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

The direct path is about 58 miles (93.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.00 one way or $20.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Arab

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

94 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Anniston

96 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gadsden and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 58.04 mi (93.41 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
Chelsea

#2 Chelsea

City in Madison County, Alabama, United States

Population14,608
Coordinates34.6906500, -86.6099900
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Gadsden (-86.00639, 34.01434)
End: Chelsea (-86.60999, 34.69065)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 120 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.64 gal
10 L · about $10.00
Round trip
$20.00
5.28 gal · 20 L
Estimated CO2
23.5 kg one way
Round trip: 46.9 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $10.00 $20.00
Mid-grade $4.26 $11.24 $22.49
Premium $4.63 $12.21 $24.42
Diesel $5.42 $14.30 $28.59

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Gadsden and Chelsea. The current time is 03:58:32.

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.