Trip from Center Point, AL to Alabaster, AL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

153.8 mi

248 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

6 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 33m ★

6 AM

3h 45m

8 AM

4h 11m

10 AM

3h 54m

12 PM

3h 52m

3 PM

3h 56m

5 PM

4h 10m

8 PM

3h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

Center Point, AL

Wikimedia Commons

suburb city of Birmingham, located in Shelby County, Alabama, United States

Alabaster, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Center Point, AL to Alabaster, AL covers 153.8 miles and takes about 3h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on State Route 5, Montevallo Road, US 43 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 75.6 miles on State Route 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.23 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

76.9 miles from Center Point, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 153.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 45m highway drive covering 153.8 miles, with most of the trip on State Route 5 and Montevallo Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 75.6 miles on State Route 5.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

State Route 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 75.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 5 and Montevallo Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near US 84.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 45m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles (US 84): Navigation decision point; at 17.5 miles (US 43): Navigation decision point; at 70.7 miles (AL 5 / State Route 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5.8 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 84

At end of road, turn left onto US 84

Navigation decision point

17.5 mi into trip | ~28m in | US 43

Turn left onto US 43

Navigation decision point

70.7 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | AL 5 / State Route 5

Keep slight left at fork onto AL 5 / State Route 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

121.6 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | AL 25; AL 219 / Montevallo Road

Turn left onto AL 25; AL 219 / Montevallo Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

153.8 mi into trip | ~3h 45m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
State Route 5	75.6 mi	1h 49m
Montevallo Road	30 mi	45m
US 43	16.4 mi	19m
US 84	9.5 mi	10m
Center Point Road	4.8 mi	11m
Jefferson Davis Highway	4.3 mi	6m
Broad Street	3.8 mi	5m
Main Street	3.4 mi	5m

Longest stretch: State Route 5 — 75.6 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Center Point, AL and Alabaster, AL.

Start on AL 154

1.0 mi · 1 min · AL 154

Turn right onto CR 21

4.8 mi · 11 min · Center Point Road

At end of road, turn left onto US 84

9.5 mi · 10 min · US 84

Turn left onto Cobb Street

2.2 mi · 4 min · Cobb Street

Turn left onto US 43

16 mi · 19 min · US 43

Turn straight onto AL 5

7.5 mi · 11 min · State Route 5

Continue on AL 5

3.8 mi · 5 min · Broad Street

Continue on AL 5

21 mi · 31 min · State Route 5

Continue on AL 5

4.3 mi · 6 min · Jefferson Davis Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto AL 5

47 mi · 1 hr 6 min · State Route 5

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 11 sec

Toward 25

Turn straight onto AL 25

2.8 mi · 4 min · Main Street

Turn straight onto AL 25

1.0 mi · 2 min · Walnut Street

Turn left onto AL 25; AL 219

20 mi · 28 min · Montevallo Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto AL 119

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Selma Road

Continue on AL 119

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on AL 119

0.9 mi · 1 min · Ashville Road

Continue on AL 119

9.7 mi · 17 min · Montevallo Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 31; AL 119

0.4 mi · 43 sec · 1st Street South

Turn left

177 ft · 18 sec

Turn right

97 ft · 7 sec

Arrive at destination

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 76.9 miles from Center Point, AL, or about 1h 50m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.6 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 34 miles or 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.9 miles or 1h 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alabaster, 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 153.8 miles and 3h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Center Point, 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 State Route 5 for about 75.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.9 mi from Center Point, AL · 1h 50m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marion, AL

77 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

Thomasville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookwood, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.9 miles from Center Point, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before State Route 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.6 miles.

Arriving in Alabaster, AL

The final approach into Alabaster, 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 Alabaster, AL.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pelham, Alabama

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 153.8

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12056634100

Visit website

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 153.8

Pelham, Alabama

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12056634100

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 142.9

Montevallo, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

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...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free near mile 153.8

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.23 one way

$46.45 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$25.50	$51.00
premium	$4.56	$27.61	$55.21
diesel	$5.61	$33.96	$67.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

6 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

FLO Charging Station

Thomasville, Alabama

FLO

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Montevallo, Alabama

Blink

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Alabaster, Alabama

Tesla

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Alabaster, Alabama

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Montevallo, Alabama

Blink

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Helena, Alabama

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Blink: 2 FLO: 1 Tesla: 1 Electrify America: 1 ChargePoint: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	46.1	$16.15	$7.38
Efficient EV	38.5	$13.46	$6.15
EV Truck/SUV	61.5	$21.53	$9.84

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Center Point, AL

Afternoon in Center Point on Thursday

Local time

3:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alabaster, AL

Afternoon in Alabaster on Thursday

Local time

3:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

78°F

Marion, AL

77 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

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

3h 45m 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 Alabaster, AL covers 153.8 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are State Route 5, Montevallo Road, US 43. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 76.9 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 $23.23 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.

This is a straightforward 3h 45m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The route from Center Point, AL to Alabaster, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Alabaster, AL to Center Point, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

153.8 mi 3h 45m

Explore more options from Center Point, AL or browse trips ending in Alabaster, AL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.

Explore maps for Center Point, AL or Alabaster, AL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Center Point, AL to Alabaster, AL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Alabaster, AL

Nearby Places

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

FLO Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

National Parks Near This Route

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Center Point, AL

Alabaster, AL

Same local time

29 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 45m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Alabaster, AL

More from Center Point, AL

More trips to Alabaster, AL