How far is Rainbow City, AL from Alabaster, AL?
The driving distance from Rainbow City, AL to Alabaster, AL is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 66.3 miles (106.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Jefferson County, Alabama, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rainbow City and Alabaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rainbow City and Alabaster.
-
1
Start on the route
17 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn sharp left onto Rainbow Drive
38 m · 8 sec · Rainbow Drive
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3
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
3.9 mi · 7 min · West Grand Avenue
-
4
Continue on Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
2594 ft · 53 sec · Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
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5
Take the ramp left toward I-59 South: Birmingham
2313 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
43.3 mi · 46 min
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 459 South: Tuscaloosa, Montgomery
2436 ft · 42 sec
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8
Continue on John M. Harbert III Freeway
17 mi · 18 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Birmingham, Montgomery
979 ft · 24 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Montgomery
1.5 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left
10.9 mi · 12 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
1361 ft · 33 sec
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13
Turn right onto 1st Street South
1.1 mi · 2 min · 1st Street South
-
14
Turn left
54 m · 18 sec
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15
Turn right
30 m · 7 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rainbow City and Alabaster.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-59 South
Merge slight left
43.3 mi · 00h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Rainbow City and Sunny near Alabaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rainbow City to Alabaster?
The road trip is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?
Argo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.5 miles from Rainbow City and 41.7 miles from Alabaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 66.3 miles (106.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 4:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.35 one way or $22.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rainbow City and Sunny near Alabaster.
Stop Ideas Near Argo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Argo.
Birmingham
Anniston
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rainbow City and Alabaster. Straight-line distance: 66.31 mi (106.71 km).
#1 Rainbow City
City in Alabama, United States
| Population | 9,611 |
| Coordinates | 33.9548200, -86.0419200 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alabaster
Suburb city of Birmingham, located in Shelby County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 33,701 |
| Coordinates | 33.2442800, -86.8163800 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-86.816657, 33.244315)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 131 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $11.35 | $22.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.71 | $25.42 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $13.88 | $27.75 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $17.03 | $34.06 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026