Origin
Birmingham, AL
Evening in Birmingham on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Birmingham, AL to West Blocton, AL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
52m
Distance
41.1 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
West Blocton, AL
Elizabeth Iris
Trip Overview
This straightforward 41.1-mile drive from Birmingham to West Blocton in Alabama's Southeast region is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 52 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of around $6, it's an economical option for a short excursion. The route primarily utilizes I-20 and State Route 5, offering a highway-focused experience. You won't need to break this trip up overnight, giving you plenty of flexibility for when you depart and how you spend your time at your destination. This is a simple, no-fuss journey perfect for a quick visit.
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
20.5 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this drive, with 93% of the journey on major roadways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 27 miles on I-20 before transitioning to State Route 5 and US 11. While largely focused on efficient travel, be aware of the shift in road type as you move from the interstate to state and US highways. This transition offers a change in scenery and pace as you approach West Blocton.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 27 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and State Route 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 6th Avenue North.
Route Complexity
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 41.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
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 12 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
5
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
29 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
US 11; AL 5
Take the exit onto US 11; AL 5 toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, Centreville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 97
Toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, C...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Birmingham, AL to West Blocton, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Centreville along the way.
Centreville
29 mi in
|
~33m
|
via US 11; AL 5
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 27 mi | 29m |
| State Route 5 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| US 11 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| 6th Avenue North | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Cahaba River Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| I 65 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Hickory Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 27 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and West Blocton, 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
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 11; AL 5
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 11; AL 5
Exit 97
Toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, Centreville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto US 11; AL 5
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US 11; AL 5
9
Turn left onto AL 5
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
State Route 5
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto CR 24
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Cahaba River Drive
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto Hickory Road
399 ft
·
22 sec
·
Hickory Road
12
Turn left onto Azalea Lane
27 ft
·
2 sec
·
Azalea Lane
13
Turn right onto Hickory Road
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Hickory Road
14
Arrive at destination
Hickory Road
Trip Plan
Given the short 52-minute duration, this route offers great flexibility for departure times. You can easily leave Birmingham in the morning and be in West Blocton well before lunch, or head out in the afternoon. With only 41.1 miles, stops aren't essential, but you can plan for a brief break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the estimated $6 cost suggests a full tank should be more than sufficient for this trip. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of the transition from I-20 to State Route 5, as the speed and road conditions will change.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 20.5 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 41 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.5 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Blocton, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Birmingham, AL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Birmingham, AL
This is one driving day of about 41.1 miles and 52m.
At 41.1 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.5 mi from Birmingham, AL · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from Birmingham, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in West Blocton, AL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into West Blocton, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.21 one way
$12.41 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $6.81 | $13.63 |
| premium | $4.56 | $7.38 | $14.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.07 | $18.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.32 | $1.97 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.60 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.75 | $2.63 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
West Blocton, AL
Evening in West Blocton on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Woodstock, AL
21 mi in
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
29 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
52m 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 West Blocton, AL covers 41.1 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, State Route 5, US 11. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.5 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 $6.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 41.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
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.
On the drive from Birmingham, AL to West Blocton, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Centreville along the way.
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