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Trip from Alabaster, AL to Lincoln, AL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

122.9 mi

198 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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suburb city of Birmingham, located in Shelby County, Alabama, United States

Alabaster, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Alabaster, AL to Lincoln, AL covers 122.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, I 565, 1st Street South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.7 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.56 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.

Midpoint

61.4 miles from Alabaster, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 122.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 18m highway drive covering 122.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 565. The longest continuous stretch is about 100.7 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 100.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 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

6
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I-65 North: Birmingham

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
8
102.2 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Take the exit toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 340 Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate:...
7
102.6 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 340A Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsv...
8
122.2 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Washington Street North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Washington Street North

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Alabaster, AL to Lincoln, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Huntsville along the way.

Huntsville

102.2 mi in | ~1h 53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 100.7 mi 1h 50m
I 565 18.9 mi 20m
1st Street South 1.2 mi 1m
Washington Street Northwest 0.5 mi <1m
Abingdon Avenue Northwest <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 100.7 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster, AL and Lincoln, 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

1.2 mi · 1 min · 1st Street South
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 65

101 mi · 1 hr 50 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 340 Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 340A Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
8

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

19 mi · 20 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
10

Continue on this road

395 ft · 9 sec · this road
Exit 19C Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward Washington Street North Use the slight left lane.
12

Turn straight onto Washington Street Northwest

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Washington Street Northwest
13

Turn right onto Abingdon Avenue Northwest

396 ft · 17 sec · Abingdon Avenue Northwest
14

Arrive at destination

Abingdon Avenue Northwest

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.4 miles from Alabaster, AL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.7 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 27 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 61.4 miles or 1h 8m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lincoln, 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 122.9 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Alabaster, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 100.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61.4 mi from Alabaster, AL · 1h 8m into the drive

Downtown Hayden, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hayden, AL

61 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

Birmingham, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hayden, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.4 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 100.7 miles.

Arriving in Lincoln, AL

The final approach into Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

National Monument

In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 21.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.56 one way

$37.12 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $20.38 $40.75
premium $4.56 $22.06 $44.12
diesel $5.61 $27.13 $54.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.9 0 $12.90 $5.90
Efficient EV 30.7 0 $10.75 $4.92
EV Truck/SUV 49.2 0 $17.21 $7.87

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% 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

Night in Alabaster on Thursday

Local time

10:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lincoln, AL

Night in Lincoln on Thursday

Local time

10:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

78°F

Hayden, AL

61 mi in

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 cooler at arrival

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

Road read

2h 18m 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 Lincoln, AL covers 122.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 565, 1st Street South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.4 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 $18.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Alabaster, AL to Lincoln, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Huntsville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

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