Origin
Andalusia, AL
Evening in Andalusia on Sunday
Local time
6:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Andalusia, AL to Birmingham, AL
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
179.3 mi
289 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Andalusia, AL
Daniel Nouri
Birmingham, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Andalusia to Birmingham covers 179.3 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes to complete. Because this journey is well under four hours, it serves as an efficient one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via AL 55, Mobile Road, and I-65 to move from the Southeast region of Alabama into the state's urban center. Budgeting about $27 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this straightforward route offers a reliable connection between the two points.
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
89.7 miles from Andalusia, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 91% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. The drive is defined by a significant 145.2-mile stretch on I-65, which allows for consistent cruising once you clear the initial local roads. You will transition from the quieter stretches near Andalusia onto the busier, multi-lane interstate system as you head toward Birmingham. While the route is largely functional and direct, the shift from regional roads to the primary interstate artery provides a clear change in pace. Prepare for an uninterrupted drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding, technical scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 145.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and AL 55. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near AL 55.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 22m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (AL 55): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
AL 55
Turn right onto AL 55
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
32.4 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
32.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
177.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
5
178 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
|
US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 145.2 mi | 2h 38m |
| AL 55 | 17.9 mi | 20m |
| Mobile Road | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| River Falls Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| 3rd Avenue North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 19th Street North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 145.2 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andalusia, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Court Square
188 ft
·
5 sec
·
Court Square
2
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Church Street
3
Turn right onto River Falls Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
River Falls Street
4
Continue on River Falls Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
River Falls Road
5
Continue on River Falls Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
River Falls Street
6
Continue on US 29; AL 55
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
River Falls Street
7
Continue on US 84; AL 55
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
River Falls Street
8
Turn right onto AL 55
18 mi
·
20 min
·
AL 55
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 31; AL 55
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Mobile Road
Use the none lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 65
145 mi
·
2 hr 38 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 260B
Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
13
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto 19th Street North
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
19th Street North
15
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
5th Avenue North
16
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
17
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Since the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though leaving early can help you avoid potential congestion on I-65. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, especially given the lengthy 145.2-mile interstate segment that makes up the bulk of your travel. Ensure your fuel tank is topped off before merging onto the interstate to keep your $27 budget on track. Because this is a single-day drive, you won't need to stress over complex logistics, but staying alert during the long highway stretch is essential. If you find yourself tiring during the final push, use that scheduled stop to grab a beverage and reset before entering the Birmingham metro area.
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 89.7 miles from Andalusia, AL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.2 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.7 miles or 1h 43m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Birmingham, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Andalusia, 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 Andalusia, AL
This is one driving day of about 179.3 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Andalusia, 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 145.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.7 mi from Andalusia, AL · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.7 miles from Andalusia, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.2 miles.
Arriving in Birmingham, AL
The final approach into Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, 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
$27.41 one way
$54.82 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $30.06 | $60.13 |
| premium | $4.61 | $32.54 | $65.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.83 | $79.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.83 | $8.61 |
| Efficient EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.69 | $7.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.10 | $11.48 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Evening in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
6:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°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
26 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 22m 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 Andalusia, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 179.3 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, AL 55, Mobile Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.7 miles from Andalusia, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.41 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.
This is a straightforward 3h 22m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (AL 55): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Andalusia, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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