Origin
Anniston, AL
Evening in Anniston on Sunday
Local time
6:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anniston, AL to Birmingham, AL
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
62.7 mi
101 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anniston, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Birmingham, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Connecting Anniston to Birmingham is a straightforward, 62.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. Because the trip is short, you can easily handle it as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-20, transitioning into the Albert P. Brewer Highway and 1st Avenue North as you approach the city. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, this is an incredibly economical route to traverse within the Southeast region. It is a practical, no-fuss drive that serves as a reliable link between these two Alabama hubs. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day in the city, the simplicity of this trip makes it a stress-free experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
31.4 miles from Anniston, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 78% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a primary interstate experience, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 48.7 miles along I-20. Once you exit the interstate, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto the Albert P. Brewer Highway and local city streets. Expect a steady, predictable pace that is characteristic of an interstate commute rather than a winding scenic byway. Staying focused is key during the long, consistent miles on the interstate, but the final segments through local roads provide a familiar transition into the urban environment of Birmingham.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 48.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Albert P Brewer Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Gurnee Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 15m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Gurnee Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (AL 202 / Albert P Brewer Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Gurnee Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Gurnee Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
AL 202 / Albert P Brewer Highway
At end of road, turn right onto AL 202 / Albert P Brewer Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
9.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
9.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
58.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward 1st Avenue South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 130B
Toward 1st Avenue South
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Anniston, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward 1St Avenue South along the way.
1St Avenue South
58.2 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 48.7 mi | 53m |
| Albert P Brewer Highway | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| 1st Avenue North | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Donald G. Holmes Bypass | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Gurnee Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 24th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 64th Street South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 48.7 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anniston, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
45 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Gurnee Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Gurnee Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto AL 202
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Albert P Brewer Highway
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on AL 202
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Donald G. Holmes Bypass
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 20
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 130B
Toward 1st Avenue South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on 64th Street South
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
64th Street South
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto US 11
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
1st Avenue North
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto 24th Street North
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
24th Street North
11
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1 hour and 15 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. You likely won't need any formal stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, even though the total cost is only around $10 for the trip. If you are heading into Birmingham during standard work hours, be mindful that the transition from I-20 to 1st Avenue North can see increased traffic volume. Use the short duration to your advantage by planning your arrival to coincide with your specific destination's opening hours. Ultimately, the biggest benefit of this route is its brevity, allowing you to focus your energy on your plans once you arrive rather than on the road itself.
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 31.4 miles from Anniston, AL, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.7 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 62.7 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.4 miles or 38m 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 2m
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 Anniston, 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 Anniston, AL
This is one driving day of about 62.7 miles and 1h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anniston, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 48.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.4 mi from Anniston, AL · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 62.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.4 miles from Anniston, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.59 one way
$19.17 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $10.51 | $21.03 |
| premium | $4.61 | $11.38 | $22.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.93 | $27.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
| Efficient EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.78 | $4.01 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
6:17 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
25 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
1h 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 Anniston, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 62.7 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Albert P Brewer Highway, 1st Avenue North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.4 miles from Anniston, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.59 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 is a straightforward 1h 15m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Gurnee Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (AL 202 / Albert P Brewer Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Anniston, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward 1St Avenue South along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Birmingham, AL
More trips to Birmingham, AL
Explore more options from Anniston, AL or browse trips ending in Birmingham, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Anniston, AL or Birmingham, AL on MapSof.net.