Origin
Birmingham, AL
Evening in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Birmingham, AL to Citronelle, AL
Drive Time
4h 33m
Distance
244.3 mi
393 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Kelly
Citronelle, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Trip Overview
Traveling from Birmingham to Citronelle spans 244.3 miles across Alabama, making for a straightforward trek that typically takes about 4 hours and 33 minutes. Because the route is compact, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of approximately $37 to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast, you will primarily rely on I-20 and US-45. This drive is a practical choice for those looking to traverse the state efficiently, keeping the logistics simple and the pace steady.
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
122.1 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 99% of your journey stays on major roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 139.5 miles on I-20, which demands sustained attention during the initial phase of your trip. Once you transition onto US-45, the character of the drive shifts, offering a different pace compared to the interstate grind. This route is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering, so you can anticipate a consistent, high-speed flow for the vast majority of the 244.3-mile distance. Being behind the wheel here is all about steady progress across the Alabama landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 139.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 45. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 6th Avenue North.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 244.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (6th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
6th Avenue North
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
6
141.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 45 South: Quitman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 45 South: Quitman
6
214 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
|
US 45
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 139.5 mi | 2h 30m |
| US 45 | 101.9 mi | 1h 57m |
| 6th Avenue North | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East State Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| I 65 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 139.5 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Citronelle, AL.
1
Start on 24th Street North
523 ft
·
19 sec
·
24th Street North
2
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Avenue North
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 65 North
4
Merge onto I 65
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 65
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20; I 59
139 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 45 South: Quitman
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 45
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 45
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 45
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 45
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 45
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 45
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
17 mi
·
20 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45
30 mi
·
33 min
·
US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto East State Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East State Street
22
Arrive at destination
East State Street
Trip Plan
To keep your trip efficient, aim to depart early in the day to avoid peak traffic congestion on the major highways. Since the total duration is under five hours, you only need to factor in one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep your $37 fuel budget in mind, and try to time your refueling break somewhere near the midpoint of the journey to ensure you don't run low during the final stretch on US-45. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference. Watch for the transition from the heavy traffic of I-20 to the secondary highway environment of US-45, as the road conditions will change as you approach Citronelle.
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 122.1 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.5 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.1 miles or 2h 13m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Citronelle, 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 244.3 miles and 4h 33m.
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 20 for about 139.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.1 mi from Birmingham, AL · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 122.1 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 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.5 miles.
Arriving in Citronelle, AL
The final approach into Citronelle, 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 Citronelle, 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
$37.35 one way
$74.69 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $40.96 | $81.93 |
| premium | $4.61 | $44.34 | $88.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.27 | $108.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.65 | $11.73 |
| Efficient EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.38 | $9.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.7 | 1 | $34.20 | $15.64 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Citronelle, AL
Evening in Citronelle on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Butler, AL
122 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
4h 33m 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 Citronelle, AL covers 244.3 miles and takes about 4h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US 45, 6th 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 122.1 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 $37.35 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 244.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (6th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Birmingham, AL to Citronelle, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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