Origin
Centre, AL
Morning in Centre on Friday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Centre, AL to Birmingham, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
85.2 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centre, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 85.2-mile drive from Centre to Birmingham, Alabama, is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 86% of the journey on higher-speed roads, making it a straightforward transit. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, this trip is budget-friendly for a quick journey within the Southeast region. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 49.5 miles on I-59, so you'll experience mostly consistent driving conditions. This drive is ideal for a short hop, allowing for flexibility in departure and arrival times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.6 miles from Centre, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 85.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 85.2-mile route, as it's composed of 86% highway driving. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-59, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 49.5 miles. This section offers a consistent speed and straightforward navigation. As you approach Birmingham, you'll transition to roads like US-411 and eventually 1st Avenue North, which may present a slight change in pace and environment compared to the interstate. Overall, the drive offers a practical and efficient connection between these two Alabama cities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 411. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near AL 283 / North River Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.2 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 0.1 miles (AL 283 / North River Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 283 / North River Street
Turn left onto AL 283 / North River Street
Navigation decision point
6
24.7 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the ramp toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga
7
29.2 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Birmingham
7
79 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
79.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
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 Centre, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Chattanooga along the way.
Chattanooga
24.7 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 49.5 mi | 53m |
| US 411 | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| 1st Avenue North | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| I 759 | 4 mi | 4m |
| North Albert Rains Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| West Main Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Ewing Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 49.5 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centre, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on AL 283
314 ft
·
5 sec
·
Cedar Bluff Road
2
Turn slight left
109 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn left onto AL 283
408 ft
·
10 sec
·
North River Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 411 Business
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on US 411; AL 68
20 mi
·
22 min
·
US 411; AL 68
6
Continue on Ewing Avenue
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
Ewing Avenue
7
Continue on US 411
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Albert Rains Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 411
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Rainbow Drive
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 759
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 759
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Birmingham
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 59
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 59
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 132
Toward US 11: 1st Avenue North
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
326 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 11 South: 1st Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 11
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
1st Avenue North
16
Turn right onto 24th Street North
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
24th Street North
17
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 39 minutes for this 85.2-mile trip, you have the flexibility to leave at your convenience. There are no specific stops recommended, but if you need to refuel, plan to do so before you begin, as the longest stretch on I-59 is 49.5 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, so it's an economical journey. Consider departing earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to potentially avoid heavier traffic as you enter Birmingham. A practical tip for this route is to keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from I-59 to US-411 as you near your destination, as it's a key point in reaching 1st Avenue North.
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 42.6 miles from Centre, AL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.6 miles or 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 1h 22m
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 Centre, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Centre, AL
This is one driving day of about 85.2 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Centre, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 49.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.6 mi from Centre, AL · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.6 miles from Centre, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.87 one way
$25.73 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.13 | $28.25 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.29 | $30.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.81 | $37.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.95 | $4.09 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.93 | $5.45 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Morning in Birmingham on Friday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Highland Lake, AL
43 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
6 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
1h 39m 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 Centre, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 85.2 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, US 411, 1st Avenue North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.6 miles from Centre, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.87 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 85.2 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 0.1 miles (AL 283 / North River Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Centre, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Chattanooga along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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