Origin
Birmingham, AL
Evening in Birmingham on Tuesday
Local time
7:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Birmingham, AL to Ashford, AL
Data updated 23 minutes ago
Drive Time
4h 11m
Distance
205.4 mi
331 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 38m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 18m
3 PM
4h 22m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Ashford, AL
www.kaboompics.com
Trip Overview
This 205.4-mile journey from Birmingham, AL to Ashford, AL is a straightforward drive, taking approximately 4 hours and 11 minutes. It's well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $31, making it an economical option. You'll primarily navigate via I-65 and US-231, with a significant portion on highways. This drive offers a practical way to travel within the Southeast region of Alabama.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.7 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 75% of this drive. You'll encounter long stretches on I-65, including one segment that lasts 88.1 miles. While the route has a strong highway presence, you'll also transition to roads like US-231 and Troy Highway, offering a change of pace. This blend means you'll cover ground efficiently on interstates before potentially experiencing more local road conditions as you get closer to Ashford.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 88.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 205.4 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 90.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Navigation decision point
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
6
90.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
93.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward Ann Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street
6
204.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m in
|
CR 55 / North Broadway Street
Turn left onto CR 55 / North Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 88.1 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 231 | 59.6 mi | 1h 17m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| Ross Clark Circle | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| East Main Street | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| US 84 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| I 85 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| McGehee Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 88.1 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Ashford, AL.
1
Start on 24th Street North
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
24th Street North
2
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue North
3
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
9th Street North
4
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
439 ft
·
8 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
6
Merge onto I 65
88 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
393 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 171
Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
9
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft
·
8 sec
·
Ann Street
12
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Zelda Road
13
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Carter Hill Road
14
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
McGehee Road
15
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
18
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi
·
47 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 231
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto US 84; AL 210
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Ross Clark Circle
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto US 84
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
East Main Street
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 84
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 84
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on US 84
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 84
26
Turn left onto CR 55
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
CR 55
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest stretch without a major road change is 88.1 miles on I-65. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is a helpful budget marker, but keep in mind it can fluctuate. When you transition to US-231, be aware of potential changes in speed limits and local traffic patterns as you approach your final destination.
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 102.7 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashford, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL
This is one driving day of about 205.4 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Birmingham, 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 88.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.7 mi from Birmingham, AL · 1h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 102.7 miles from Birmingham, 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 88.1 miles.
Arriving in Ashford, AL
The final approach into Ashford, 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 Ashford, 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
$31.02 one way
$62.04 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $34.05 | $68.11 |
| premium | $4.56 | $36.87 | $73.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.35 | $90.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.6 | 0 | $21.57 | $9.86 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.97 | $8.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.2 | 1 | $28.76 | $13.15 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Ashford, AL
Evening in Ashford on Tuesday
Local time
7:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Clio, AL
103 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
31 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
4h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Ashford, AL covers 205.4 miles and takes about 4h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, US 231, Troy Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.7 miles from Birmingham, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.02 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 205.4 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 90.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Birmingham, AL to Ashford, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ashford, AL
Explore more options from Birmingham, AL or browse trips ending in Ashford, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Birmingham, AL or Ashford, AL on MapSof.net.