How far is Smiths Station, AL from Florence, AL?
The driving distance from Smiths Station, AL to Florence, AL is about 249.7 miles (401.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.3 miles (346.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Neighborhood of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Smiths Station and Florence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smiths Station and Florence.
-
1
Start on County Road 243
32 m · 5 sec · County Road 243
-
2
Continue on County Road 298
1687 ft · 46 sec · County Road 298
-
3
Turn left
17.1 mi · 20 min
-
4
Take the exit left toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
3.1 mi · 3 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
1852 ft · 45 sec
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
87 m · 7 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Gateway Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Gateway Drive
-
8
Continue on Birmingham Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Birmingham Highway
-
9
Continue straight
103.8 mi · 2 hr 10 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
1901 ft · 30 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway
-
12
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard
-
13
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard
-
14
Turn right onto 19th Street North
15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North
-
15
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
771 ft · 19 sec
-
16
Merge slight left
47.6 mi · 52 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
1215 ft · 29 sec
-
18
Turn left onto Section Line Road
61 m · 4 sec · Section Line Road
-
19
Continue on University of North Alabama Highway
55.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min · University of North Alabama Highway
-
20
Merge slight right onto Wheeler Highway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Wheeler Highway
-
21
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
4.2 mi · 7 min · Woodward Avenue
-
22
Take the exit slight right
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
23
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
133 m · 16 sec · West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
-
24
Turn right onto South Pine Street
1178 ft · 35 sec · South Pine Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Pine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Smiths Station and Florence.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Birmingham Highway
Continue straight
104 mi · 02h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Smiths Station and Sunny near Florence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Smiths Station to Florence?
The road trip is about 249.7 miles (401.9 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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?
Cahaba Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.2 miles from Smiths Station and 125.5 miles from Florence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.3 miles (346.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.36 one way or $66.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Smiths Station and Sunny near Florence.
Stop Ideas Near Cahaba Heights
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 Cahaba Heights.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Smiths Station and Florence. Straight-line distance: 215.31 mi (346.5 km).
#1 Smiths Station
Town in Lee County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 5,804 |
| Coordinates | 32.5401400, -85.0985500 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Florence
The county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama.
| Population | 41,166 |
| Coordinates | 34.7998100, -87.6772500 |
| Altitude | 167 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Pine Street (-87.677322, 34.799779)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $33.36 | $66.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $37.52 | $75.04 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $40.75 | $81.49 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $47.71 | $95.41 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.