How far is Gadsden, AL from Fort Payne, AL?

The driving distance from Gadsden, AL to Fort Payne, AL is about 38 miles (61.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m 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
37.98 mi
00h 47m
Flight
33.92 mi
54.59 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
33.92 mi
Kilometers
54.59 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.98 mi
Kilometers
61.12 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Payne
Fri, Apr 10, 4:08 PM CDT
Return by in Gadsden
Fri, Apr 10, 4:56 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gadsden
2026-04-10T15:21
Arrive Fort Payne
Fri, Apr 10, 4:08 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:56 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
Collinsville
AL

Town in Alabama

From Gadsden
19 mi
00h 23m
To Fort Payne
19 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
77°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gadsden and Fort Payne.

  1. 1

    Start on South 6th Street

    1039 ft · 33 sec · South 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Meighan Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · West Meighan Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto North 12th Street

    2303 ft · 48 sec · North 12th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Noccalula Road

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Noccalula Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    1250 ft · 30 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    30.2 mi · 32 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville

    1323 ft · 28 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Glenn Boulevard Southwest

    1.5 km · 2 min · Glenn Boulevard Southwest

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Glenn Boulevard Southwest

    756 ft · 22 sec · Glenn Boulevard Southwest

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Gault Avenue South

    1 mi · 3 min · Gault Avenue South

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Gault Avenue North

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Noccalula Road
34.1 mi · 90%
Glenn Boulevard Southwest
1.06 mi · 3%
Gault Avenue South
1.05 mi · 3%
West Meighan Boulevard
0.92 mi · 2%
North 12th Street
0.44 mi · 1%
35
0.25 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Noccalula Road

Merge slight left

30.2 mi · 00h 32m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.1 mi
33.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Collinsville
00h 23m from Gadsden
Leave By
4:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gadsden and Sunny near Fort Payne.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gadsden to Fort Payne?

The road trip is about 38 miles (61.1 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Collinsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from Gadsden and 19 miles from Fort Payne.

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

The direct path is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 4:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.13 one way or $12.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gadsden and Sunny near Fort Payne.

Stop Ideas Near Collinsville

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

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

RAIL

Anniston

68 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gadsden and Fort Payne. Straight-line distance: 33.92 mi (54.59 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
Fort Payne

#2 Fort Payne

City in Alabama, US

Population14,041
Coordinates34.4442500, -85.7196900
Altitude275
CountryUnited States
Start: Gadsden (-86.00639, 34.01434)
End: Fort Payne (-85.71969, 34.44425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 61 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.62 gal
6.12 L · about $6.13
Round trip
$12.27
3.24 gal · 12.24 L
Estimated CO2
14.4 kg one way
Round trip: 28.8 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $6.13 $12.27
Mid-grade $4.26 $6.90 $13.80
Premium $4.63 $7.49 $14.99
Diesel $5.42 $8.77 $17.54

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 10, 2026

There is no time difference between Gadsden and Fort Payne. The current time is 15:21:27.

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.