Origin
Center Point, AL
Evening in Center Point on Sunday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Center Point, AL to Birmingham, AL
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.3 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Center Point, AL
Andrius La Rotta
Birmingham, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute or a straightforward connection between Center Point and Birmingham, this 12.3-mile trip is an easy one-day excursion. You can expect to reach your destination in about 20 minutes, making it a highly efficient route for travelers in the Southeast. Budgeting for this drive is simple, as fuel costs should hover around $2. Since the entire trip is quite short, there is no need for an overnight stay or complex planning. Whether you are heading into the city for business or personal errands, this direct path keeps your travel time minimal.
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
6.1 miles from Center Point, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 12.3-mile journey offers a mixed driving experience, balancing local roads with a significant portion of highway travel. You will spend about 47% of your time on highways as you transition between Center Point Parkway, Parkway East, and 1st Avenue North. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 5.7-mile segment on 1st Avenue North, which provides a bit of flow to your trip. Because the route is categorized as a mixed drive, you should be prepared for the shift from standard parkway traffic to the more urban environment as you approach Birmingham.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
1st Avenue North is the longest continuous segment at about 5.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AL 75 / Center Point Parkway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.3 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start (AL 75 / Center Point Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (AL 75 / Roebuck Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 75 / Center Point Parkway
Turn left onto AL 75 / Center Point Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
3
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
AL 75 / Roebuck Parkway
Continue onto AL 75 / Roebuck Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward US 11: 1st Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 132
Toward US 11: 1st Avenue North
8
6.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 South: 1st Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 11 South: 1st Avenue North
4
12 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
24th Street North
Turn right onto 24th Street North
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Avenue North | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Center Point Parkway | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Parkway East | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| I 59 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 24th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Roebuck Parkway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 23rd Avenue Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
1st Avenue North
— 5.7 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center Point, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on 23rd Avenue Northeast
73 ft
·
9 sec
·
23rd Avenue Northeast
2
Turn left onto AL 75
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Center Point Parkway
Use the none lane.
3
Continue on AL 75
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Parkway East
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on AL 75
226 ft
·
5 sec
·
Parkway East
5
Continue on AL 75
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Roebuck Parkway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 59 South: Birmingham
7
Merge onto I 59
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 59
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 132
Toward US 11: 1st Avenue North
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
326 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 11 South: 1st Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 11
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
1st Avenue North
Use the none lane.
11
Turn right onto 24th Street North
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
24th Street North
12
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 20-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire trip without needing any mid-route stops, allowing for a seamless transition between locations. Keep in mind that traffic patterns often shift on routes involving both parkways and urban avenues, so check your local traffic app before heading out to ensure the smoothest passage. Given the low $2 fuel requirement, you can focus your attention on your destination rather than worrying about heavy logistical planning. Prioritize keeping a steady pace on that 5.7-mile stretch of 1st Avenue North to maintain your momentum as you navigate toward the heart of Birmingham.
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 6.1 miles from Center Point, AL, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.7 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 12.3 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.1 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Birmingham, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Center Point, 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 Center Point, AL
This is one driving day of about 12.3 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Center Point, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on 1st Avenue North for about 5.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.1 mi from Center Point, AL · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.1 miles from Center Point, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Birmingham, AL
The final approach into Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.88 one way
$3.76 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $2.06 | $4.12 |
| premium | $4.61 | $2.23 | $4.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.73 | $5.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Birmingham, AL
Evening in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
84°F
Hoover, AL
6 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
1 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
20m 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 Center Point, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 12.3 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 1st Avenue North, Center Point Parkway, Parkway East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.1 miles from Center Point, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.88 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.3 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start (AL 75 / Center Point Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (AL 75 / Roebuck Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Center Point, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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