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Trip from Alabaster, AL to Fairfield, AL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 15m

Distance

160.2 mi

258 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

suburb city of Birmingham, located in Shelby County, Alabama, United States

Alabaster, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Alabaster, AL to Fairfield, AL covers 160.2 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, Crum Foshee Highway, AL 106 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 123.7 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.19 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

80.1 miles from Alabaster, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 160.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 160.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and Crum Foshee Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 123.7 miles on I 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 123.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Crum Foshee Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Alabaster, AL to Fairfield, AL is easy. At 3h 15m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 125.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.4 miles (AL 106; AL 55): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
125.1 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
4
125.4 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | AL 106; AL 55

Turn left onto AL 106; AL 55

Navigation decision point

5
147.4 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in | CR 107 / County Road 107

At end of road, turn left onto CR 107 / County Road 107

Navigation decision point

4
147.5 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in | CR 7 / Ealum Mill Road

Turn right onto CR 7 / Ealum Mill Road

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Alabaster, AL and Fairfield, AL, road signs point toward 55: Georgiana and Starlington.

55: Georgiana

125.1 mi in | ~2h 17m

Starlington

125.1 mi in | ~2h 17m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 123.7 mi 2h 14m
Crum Foshee Highway 12.3 mi 14m
AL 106 9.4 mi 11m
Loango Road 8.5 mi 20m
Ealum Mill Road 2.3 mi 5m
Judge Smith Road 1.9 mi 4m
1st Street South 1 mi 1m
County Road 82 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 123.7 mi, about 2h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster, AL and Fairfield, AL.

1

Start on this road

97 ft · 14 sec · this road
2

Turn left

177 ft · 14 sec
3

Turn right onto US 31; AL 119

1.0 mi · 1 min · 1st Street South
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I-65 South: Montgomery
5

Merge onto I 65

124 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 65
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
7

Turn left onto AL 106; AL 55

9.4 mi · 11 min · AL 106; AL 55
8

Continue on AL 55

12 mi · 14 min · Crum Foshee Highway
9

Turn right onto County Road 82

0.3 mi · 58 sec · County Road 82
10

At end of road, turn left onto CR 107

204 ft · 10 sec · County Road 107
11

Turn right onto CR 7

2.3 mi · 5 min · Ealum Mill Road
12

Continue on CR 7

8.5 mi · 20 min · Loango Road
13

At end of road, turn left onto CR 7

1.9 mi · 4 min · Judge Smith Road
14

Arrive at destination

CR 7

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.1 miles from Alabaster, AL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 35 miles or 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 80.1 miles or 1h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Alabaster, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alabaster, AL

This is one driving day of about 160.2 miles and 3h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Alabaster, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 123.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80.1 mi from Alabaster, AL · 1h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Montgomery, AL

80 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Clanton, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Montgomery, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.1 miles from Alabaster, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.7 miles.

Arriving in Fairfield, AL

The final approach into Fairfield, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fairfield, AL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.19 one way

$48.39 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $26.56 $53.12
premium $4.56 $28.75 $57.51
diesel $5.61 $35.37 $70.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.1 0 $16.82 $7.69
Efficient EV 40.1 0 $14.02 $6.41
EV Truck/SUV 64.1 0 $22.43 $10.25

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Alabaster, AL

Afternoon in Alabaster on Thursday

Local time

4:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairfield, AL

Afternoon in Fairfield on Thursday

Local time

4:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 15m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Alabaster, AL to Fairfield, AL covers 160.2 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Crum Foshee Highway, AL 106. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.1 miles from Alabaster, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Alabaster, AL to Fairfield, AL is easy. At 3h 15m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 125.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.4 miles (AL 106; AL 55): Navigation decision point.
Between Alabaster, AL and Fairfield, AL, road signs point toward 55: Georgiana and Starlington.

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