Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
59m
Distance
46.9 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Thorsby, AL
Wolfgang Weiser
This quick 46.9-mile drive from Birmingham to Thorsby, Alabama, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just under an hour to complete. You'll spend most of your time on I-65, making it a highway-focused journey through the Southeast region. With a modest fuel cost estimate of $7, this route is an economical option for a short excursion. Given its brief duration and straightforward path, no overnight stays are necessary, offering you flexibility in your schedule. It's a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Alabama locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
23.5 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 46.9-mile route, with 95% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-65. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.1 miles on I-65, allowing for a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, you will briefly use local roads like 1st Avenue North at the beginning of your trip. This drive offers a direct and functional path, largely characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 31. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Thorsby, AL is easy. At 59m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 31, AL 3: Saginaw, Calera, Montevallo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Birmingham, AL and Thorsby, AL, road signs point toward Calera and Montevallo.
Calera
Montevallo
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 28.1 mi | 32m |
| US 31 | 16.6 mi | 23m |
| 1st Avenue North | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 24th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 9th Street North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Concordia Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Thorsby, AL.
Start on 24th Street North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 31
Turn right onto Concordia Street
Arrive at destination
For this short, under-an-hour drive, you have the advantage of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving Birmingham after the morning rush hour to make your entry onto I-65 smoother. Since the total trip is only 46.9 miles with a minimal fuel cost of around $7, you likely won't need extensive fuel stops. However, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before departing Birmingham, as services can be more spread out on the highway stretches. A specific tip for this route: be aware that you'll transition from city streets to the interstate early on, so ensure you're comfortable with that change before setting out.
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 10 miles or 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.5 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thorsby, AL than in the middle of the route.
Have your navigation ready before leaving Birmingham, AL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Birmingham, AL
This is one driving day of about 46.9 miles and 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.5 mi from Birmingham, AL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from Birmingham, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Thorsby, AL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.08 one way
$14.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $7.78 | $15.55 |
| premium | $4.56 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.35 | $20.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.92 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.57 | $3.00 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Evening in Birmingham on Wednesday
Local time
6:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Thorsby on Wednesday
Local time
6:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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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