The drive from Birmingham, AL to Fairfield, AL covers 182.3 miles and takes about 3h 40m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, Crum Foshee Highway, AL 106 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145.1 miles on I 65.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.53 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
91.1 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 182.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 3h 40m highway drive covering 182.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and Crum Foshee Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 145.1 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 15 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 145.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Crum Foshee Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Fairfield, AL is easy. At 3h 40m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These 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
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
147.2 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
5
169.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|CR 107 / County Road 107
At end of road, turn left onto CR 107 / County Road 107
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Birmingham, AL and Fairfield, AL, road signs point toward 55: Georgiana and Starlington.
55: Georgiana
147.2 mi in|~2h 42m
Starlington
147.2 mi in|~2h 42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
145.1 mi
2h 38m
Crum Foshee Highway
12.3 mi
14m
AL 106
9.4 mi
11m
Loango Road
8.5 mi
20m
Ealum Mill Road
2.3 mi
5m
Judge Smith Road
1.9 mi
4m
1st Avenue North
1.4 mi
2m
County Road 82
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 145.1 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Fairfield, 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
145 mi·2 hr 38 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
8
Turn left onto AL 106; AL 55
9.4 mi·11 min·AL 106; AL 55
9
Continue on AL 55
12 mi·14 min·Crum Foshee Highway
10
Turn right onto County Road 82
0.3 mi·58 sec·County Road 82
11
At end of road, turn left onto CR 107
204 ft·10 sec·County Road 107
12
Turn right onto CR 7
2.3 mi·5 min·Ealum Mill Road
13
Continue on CR 7
8.5 mi·20 min·Loango Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto CR 7
1.9 mi·4 min·Judge Smith Road
15
Arrive at destination
CR 7
Trip Plan
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 91.1 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.1 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.1 miles or 1h 41m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 182.3 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 145.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.1 mi from Birmingham, AL
· 1h 41m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.7
0
$19.14
$8.75
Efficient EV
45.6
0
$15.95
$7.29
EV Truck/SUV
72.9
0
$25.52
$11.67
Gas CO2
64 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Birmingham, AL
Night
in Birmingham on Thursday
Local time
10:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fairfield, AL
Night
in Fairfield on Thursday
Local time
10:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
32 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 40m 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 Birmingham, AL to Fairfield, AL covers 182.3 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Crum Foshee Highway, AL 106. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.1 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 $27.53 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.
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Fairfield, AL is easy. At 3h 40m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Birmingham, AL and Fairfield, AL, road signs point toward 55: Georgiana and Starlington.
