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Drive Time
13m
Distance
6.7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Fultondale, AL
Tomás Asurmendi
This short 6.7-mile drive from Birmingham, AL to Fultondale, AL takes about 13 minutes and is a perfect addition to any Southeast regional trip. With no highway driving, expect a local feel throughout. The estimated fuel cost is a mere $1, making it incredibly budget-friendly. Since it's such a brief journey, it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. This route offers a straightforward connection within Alabama, ideal for a quick hop between two nearby points.
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
3.4 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
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This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with a 0% highway share. You'll navigate primarily using Decatur Highway, Carraway Boulevard, and 25th Street North. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 3.5 miles on Decatur Highway. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you traverse these local roads, which will likely involve navigating various intersections and city streets.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Avenue North.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 13m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; near the start (5th Avenue North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.6 miles (Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto 5th Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 31 / Carraway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Whaley Road
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur Highway | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Carraway Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| 25th Street North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Whaley Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 5th Court North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Fultondale, AL.
Start on 24th Street North
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Keep slight left at fork onto 5th Avenue North
Turn slight left onto 5th Court North
Continue on 25th Street North
Turn right onto Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North
Turn left onto US 31
Continue on US 31
Turn right onto Whaley Road
Arrive at destination
Given the minimal 6.7-mile distance and 13-minute duration, this drive offers significant flexibility. There's no need to rush, and you can depart at your leisure. With a fuel cost of only $1, refueling isn't a major concern. The main thing to watch for on this turn-heavy local route is staying alert for traffic signals and frequent turns. Consider using Decatur Highway for the longest 3.5-mile stretch to maintain a bit of consistent momentum before the final approach into Fultondale.
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.
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 6.7 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.4 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fultondale, AL than in the middle of the route.
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 6.7 miles and 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.4 mi from Birmingham, AL · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
3 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.
A short stop after about 6.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 3.4 miles from Birmingham, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Fultondale, 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 Fultondale, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.01 one way
$2.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $1.11 | $2.22 |
| premium | $4.56 | $1.20 | $2.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.48 | $2.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2 | 0 | $0.70 | $0.32 |
| Efficient EV | 1.7 | 0 | $0.59 | $0.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.94 | $0.43 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Birmingham on Wednesday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Fultondale on Wednesday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
76°F
Hoover, AL
3 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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