How Far is Alabama from Ocala? Travel Guide

_{August 30, 2025 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Travel}

How far is Alabama from Ocala? Find out how far Alabama is from Ocala with driving and flight distance details. This guide provides travel tips, routes, and estimated times for planning trips between the two locations.

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How far is Alabama from Ocala?

Ocala, Florida, is in north-central Florida, and â€œAlabamaâ€ can mean the state in general or specific cities. Hereâ€™s a travel guide to give you perspective:

Driving Distance

Ocala, FL â†’ Alabama state line (near Dothan, AL): ~230 miles, about 3.5 to 4 hours by car.
Ocala, FL â†’ Montgomery, AL (capital city): ~325 miles, about 5 hours driving.
Ocala, FL â†’ Birmingham, AL: ~430 miles, about 6.5 hours driving.
Ocala, FL â†’ Mobile, AL (Gulf Coast): ~375 miles, about 6 hours driving.

Flying Distance

The nearest major airport to Ocala is Orlando International Airport (MCO), about 1.5 hours away.
Flight distances:
- Orlando â†’ Birmingham: ~460 miles (~1 hr 20 min flight).
- Orlando â†’ Mobile: ~390 miles (~1 hr 10 min flight).
- Orlando â†’ Montgomery: ~385 miles (~1 hr 15 min flight).

Bus/Other Travel

Greyhound and Megabus routes are available between Florida and Alabama, often connecting in Jacksonville, Orlando, or Atlanta. Travel times are much longer than driving (7â€“12+ hours depending on route).

Summary:

The closest part of Alabama is only about 3.5â€“4 hours by car from Ocala.
Major Alabama cities like Montgomery, Birmingham, and Mobile range between 5â€“7 hours by car.
Flights are quicker but usually require traveling first to Orlando or Tampa airports.

This guide provides answers to your questions about traveling from Ocala, Florida, to various cities in Alabama, including distance, driving routes, travel time, and public transportation options.

How Far Is Alabama from Ocala?

The distance from Ocala to Alabama varies depending on your specific destination within the state. For example:

The road distance to Montgomery, Alabama, is approximately 375-380 miles (about 603-611 kilometers).
The road distance to Birmingham, Alabama, is approximately 440 miles (about 708 kilometers).
The road distance to Mobile, Alabama, is approximately 475 miles (about 764 kilometers).

What Are the Best Routes from Ocala to Alabama?

The most common and efficient driving routes involve using major interstate highways.

For destinations in central Alabama (like Montgomery or Birmingham), the typical route involves taking I-75 North from Ocala and then transitioning onto I-10 West and finally I-65 North.
For destinations in southern Alabama (like Mobile or Dothan), the route often involves taking I-75 North to I-10 West and following it across the Florida Panhandle and into Alabama.

How Long Does It Take to Drive from Ocala to Alabama?

Driving time largely depends on your destination and traffic conditions.

Driving to Montgomery can take approximately 6-7 hours.
Driving to Birmingham can take approximately 8-9 hours.
Driving to Mobile can take approximately 10-11 hours.

These times do not account for stops for fuel, food, or rest.

Are There Public Transportation Options Between Ocala and Alabama?

Yes, public transportation is available, although there are no direct bus or train routes. All options require transfers and are significantly longer than driving.

Bus: Bus companies like Greyhound and FlixBus offer routes from Ocala to cities in Alabama, such as Birmingham, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa. The journey typically involves multiple transfers in cities like Tallahassee or Atlanta and can take anywhere from 10 to over 40 hours.
Train: Amtrak offers limited services, often requiring a combination of bus and train travel with multiple transfers.

What Cities in Alabama Are Closest to Ocala?

The closest major city in Alabama to Ocala is Dothan. This city is located in the southeastern corner of the state, just across the Florida border. Other cities in southern Alabama, such as Andalusia and Enterprise, are also relatively close.