How far is Gadsden, AL from Clay, AL?

The driving distance from Gadsden, AL to Clay, AL is about 43.6 miles (70.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.3 miles (64.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m 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
43.63 mi
00h 56m
Flight
40.28 mi
64.83 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
40.28 mi
Kilometers
64.83 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.63 mi
Kilometers
70.22 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clay
Tue, Apr 14, 8:20 PM CDT
Return by in Gadsden
Tue, Apr 14, 9:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gadsden
2026-04-14T19:24
Arrive Clay
Tue, Apr 14, 8:20 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:36 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
Ashville
AL

City in St.

From Gadsden
21.8 mi
00h 28m
To Clay
21.8 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 7:00 PM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
59°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    28 mi · 30 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward 174: Springville, Odenville

    1347 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Marietta Road

    2987 ft · 1 min · Marietta Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Old Springville Road

    6.4 mi · 11 min · Old Springville Road

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Old Springville Road

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Birmingham
28.3 mi · 65%
Old Springville Road
6.43 mi · 15%
Main Street
2.94 mi · 7%
I-759 West
2.48 mi · 6%
South 11th Street
1.49 mi · 3%
Walnut Street
0.62 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Birmingham

Merge slight right

28 mi · 00h 30m

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
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.3 mi
40.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashville
00h 28m from Gadsden
Leave By
4:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Gadsden and Mostly Clear near Clay.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 43.6 miles (70.2 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Ashville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.8 miles from Gadsden and 21.8 miles from Clay.

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

The direct path is about 40.3 miles (64.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 4:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.83 one way or $11.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Gadsden and Mostly Clear near Clay.

Stop Ideas Near Ashville

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

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

RAIL

Anniston

44 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Birmingham

63 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gadsden and Clay. Straight-line distance: 40.28 mi (64.83 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
Clay

#2 Clay

City in Alabama, United States

Population10,042
Coordinates33.7026000, -86.5997100
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Start: Gadsden (-86.00639, 34.01434)
End: Clay (-86.59971, 33.7026)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 70 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.54 gal
5.83 L · about $5.83
Round trip
$11.66
3.08 gal · 11.66 L
Estimated CO2
13.7 kg one way
Round trip: 27.4 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $5.83 $11.66
Mid-grade $4.26 $6.56 $13.12
Premium $4.63 $7.12 $14.25
Diesel $5.42 $8.34 $16.68

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Gadsden and Clay. The current time is 19:24:07.

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.