Take a short but scenic ride with us as we travel east along U.S. Route 78 from Pell City to Riverside, Alabama. This stretch of highway, just over 7 miles in length, may seem modest on paper, but it offers a quick look at small-town Alabama charm while paralleling the much faster—and less intimate—Interstate 20.
Our journey begins near the I-20 interchange west of downtown Pell City, where U.S. 78 breaks off and curves southward through a lightly developed commercial area. Almost immediately, we pass through Eden, a small community that now blends into Pell City’s suburban fabric. The route in this area is mostly lined with a mix of small businesses, modest homes, and wide-open green spaces, creating a transition zone between rural roots and modern development.
As we roll into Pell City proper, the highway straightens out and takes on more of an urban feel. U.S. 78 here becomes Martin Street, running directly through the city’s core. Downtown Pell City has a few historic gems to notice, such as the St. Clair County Courthouse, built in the early 1900s, and the Avondale Mill Village area just a few blocks away—a reminder of the region’s once-booming textile industry. Just before exiting the city, we pass under U.S. Route 231 at a grade-separated interchange, connecting travelers north to Ashville or south toward the Coosa River and beyond.
Once out of the main part of Pell City, U.S. 78 begins to bend northeast, closely shadowing the I-20 corridor. This stretch between Pell City and Riverside is more relaxed, with long straightaways, tree-lined shoulders, and occasional views of the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake, especially as we approach Riverside. The proximity of the lake makes this area popular with boaters and anglers, and you’ll often see signs for marinas, campgrounds, and lake-access points along the way.
We wrap up the drive just outside the Riverside city limits, mere feet away from the I-20 interchange at Exit 162. From here, U.S. 78 continues eastward toward Lincoln and Oxford, but for this trip, we’ve covered a short segment that offers a nice balance of local character, easy driving, and scenic glimpses of one of Alabama’s most popular recreational lakes.
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