How far is Montgomery, AL from Chelsea, AL?

The driving distance from Montgomery, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 189.8 miles (305.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.6 miles (260 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
189.77 mi
03h 32m
Flight
161.55 mi
259.99 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Montgomery.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
161.55 mi
Kilometers
259.99 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
189.77 mi
Kilometers
305.41 km
Drive Time
03h 32m

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 03h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Sun, Apr 19, 9:24 AM CDT
Return by in Montgomery
Sun, Apr 19, 12:56 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Montgomery
2026-04-19T05:52
Arrive Chelsea
Sun, Apr 19, 9:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Montgomery
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Fultondale
AL

City in Jefferson County, Alabama

From Montgomery
95 mi
01h 46m
To Chelsea
94.8 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNW

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

    167.9 mi · 3 hr 4 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville

    2761 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    16.3 mi · 18 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward AL 53: Jordan Lane

    1417 ft · 30 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Jordan Lane Southwest

    2054 ft · 45 sec · Jordan Lane Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on Patton Road Southwest

    1 mi · 2 min · Patton Road Southwest

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Drake Avenue Southwest

    1 mi · 2 min · Drake Avenue Southwest

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Triana Boulevard Southwest

    2730 ft · 1 min · Triana Boulevard Southwest

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Triana Boulevard Southwest

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
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-65 North
168 mi · 89%
I 565 East
17.2 mi · 9%
East South Street
1.06 mi · 1%
Drake Avenue Southwest
1.02 mi · 1%
Patton Road Southwest
1 mi · 1%
Triana Boulevard Southwest
0.52 mi
Longest Stretch

I-65 North

Merge slight left

168 mi · 03h 04m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.2 mi
161.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fultondale
01h 46m from Montgomery
Leave By
9:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Montgomery and Rain Showers Likely 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 189.8 miles (305.4 km) and usually takes 03h 32m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Fultondale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95 miles from Montgomery and 94.8 miles from Chelsea.

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

The direct path is about 161.6 miles (260 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.37 one way or $50.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Montgomery and Rain Showers Likely near Chelsea.

Stop Ideas Near Fultondale

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

10 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

80 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

85 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

89 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Montgomery and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 161.55 mi (259.99 km).

Montgomery

#1 Montgomery

The capital of Alabama.

Population196,268
Coordinates32.3668100, -86.2999700
Altitude73
CountryUnited States
Chelsea

#2 Chelsea

City in Madison County, Alabama, United States

Population14,608
Coordinates34.6906500, -86.6099900
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Montgomery (-86.29997, 32.36681)
End: Chelsea (-86.60999, 34.69065)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 305 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.7 gal
25.35 L · about $25.37
Round trip
$50.75
13.4 gal · 50.7 L
Estimated CO2
59.5 kg one way
Round trip: 119.1 kg / 263 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $25.37 $50.75
Mid-grade $4.26 $28.54 $57.07
Premium $4.63 $30.99 $61.98
Diesel $5.42 $36.28 $72.56

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Montgomery and Chelsea. The current time is 05:52:13.

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.