How far is Montgomery, AL from Chelsea, AL?

The driving distance from Montgomery, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 80.3 miles (129.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 69.9 miles (112.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 23m 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
80.28 mi
01h 41m
Flight
69.93 mi
112.54 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Montgomery.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
69.93 mi
Kilometers
112.54 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
80.28 mi
Kilometers
129.2 km
Drive Time
01h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 8:14 PM CDT
Return by in Montgomery
Tue, Apr 14, 9:55 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Montgomery
2026-04-14T18:32
Arrive Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 8:14 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Montgomery
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
Clanton
AL

City in Chilton County, Alabama, United States

From Montgomery
40.2 mi
00h 50m
To Chelsea
40.1 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°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 Montgomery and Chelsea.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Union Street

    573 ft · 21 sec · South Union Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East South Street

    2751 ft · 1 min · East South Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight

    828 ft · 20 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    2014 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I-65 North: Birmingham

    1759 ft · 43 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward AL 25: Montevallo, Calera

    1841 ft · 48 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right

    10.1 mi · 15 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Chelsea Road

    11.3 mi · 20 min · Chelsea Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Chelsea Road

    1596 ft · 1 min · Chelsea Road

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Chelsea Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-65 North
57 mi · 71%
Chelsea Road
11.7 mi · 15%
East South Street
1.06 mi · 1%
AL 25
0.35 mi
South Union Street
0.11 mi
Longest Stretch

I-65 North

Merge slight left

56.6 mi · 01h 01m

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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
69.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clanton
00h 50m from Montgomery
Leave By
3:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Montgomery and Sunny near Chelsea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 80.3 miles (129.2 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?

Clanton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.2 miles from Montgomery and 40.1 miles from Chelsea.

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

The direct path is about 69.9 miles (112.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 3:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.72 one way or $21.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Clanton

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

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

BUS

Brent, AL

52 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
BUS

Selma, AL

60 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Montgomery, AL

64 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
BUS

Marion, AL

68 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Montgomery and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 69.93 mi (112.54 km).

Montgomery

#1 Montgomery

The capital of Alabama.

Population196,268
Coordinates32.3668100, -86.2999700
Altitude73
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Chelsea

Chelsea is a place in Alabama, United States.

Population0
Coordinates33.3401100, -86.6302600
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Start: Montgomery (-86.29997, 32.36681)
End: Chelsea (-86.63026, 33.34011)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 129 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.83 gal
10.72 L · about $10.72
Round trip
$21.43
5.66 gal · 21.44 L
Estimated CO2
25.2 kg one way
Round trip: 50.3 kg / 111 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $10.72 $21.43
Mid-grade $4.26 $12.05 $24.11
Premium $4.63 $13.09 $26.18
Diesel $5.42 $15.32 $30.65

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 Montgomery 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.