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Trip from Elba, AL to Birmingham, AL

Drive Time

3h 32m

Distance

168.1 mi

270 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

35 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 20m ★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Birmingham, AL, AL

Birmingham, AL

Kelly

Trip Overview

Traveling from Elba to Birmingham covers 168.1 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes. Because this route is a straightforward highway-focused drive, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $26 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly way to move from the Southeast region toward the northern part of the state. The path utilizes a combination of US 231, I-65, and Neal Grantham Drive to get you to your destination efficiently. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick getaway, the travel time is predictable and easy to plan around. It is a reliable connection that gets you where you need to go without unnecessary detours.

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

84 miles from Elba, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 84% of the journey taking place on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-65, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 88.1 miles. While the start of your drive involves navigating local connectors like Neal Grantham Drive, the experience quickly transitions into a high-speed interstate cruise. Expect a functional, steady pace rather than a winding backroad excursion. Being behind the wheel here is about maintaining focus on the main thoroughfares, as the highway-heavy profile prioritizes speed and directness over technical or scenic maneuvers.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 168.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 20.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 75.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

5
20.7 mi into trip | ~37m in

At end of road, turn right toward AL 167 South: Enterprise

Navigation decision point

Toward AL 167 South: Enterprise
6
20.7 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward AL 167 South: Enterprise

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward AL 167 South: Enterprise
8
75.3 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Turn left toward Ann Street South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Exit 3 Toward Ann Street South
5
75.6 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | I 85

Merge onto I 85

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
78.1 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I-65 North: Birmingham

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Elba, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.

Ann Street South

75.3 mi in | ~1h 48m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 88.1 mi 1h 36m
US 231 43.2 mi 52m
Neal Grantham Drive 19.8 mi 34m
AL 167 7.6 mi 11m
I 85 2.5 mi 3m
McGehee Road 1.5 mi 2m
Zelda Road 1.1 mi 2m
Carter Hill Road 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 88.1 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elba, AL and Birmingham, AL.

1

Start on Simmons Street

235 ft · 15 sec · Simmons Street
2

Turn left onto Claxton Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Claxton Avenue
3

Keep slight right at fork onto Neil Grantham Drive

0.6 mi · 1 min · Neil Grantham Drive
4

Continue on AL 87

20 mi · 34 min · Neal Grantham Drive
5

At end of road, turn right

17 ft · 0 sec
Toward AL 167 South: Enterprise
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 22 sec
Toward AL 167 South: Enterprise
7

Turn slight left onto AL 167

7.6 mi · 11 min · AL 167
Use the straight lane.
8

Turn left onto US 231; AL 10

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
9

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.2 mi · 14 sec · US 231; AL 10
10

Continue on US 231; AL 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 231; AL 10

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 231; AL 10
12

Continue on US 231

3.4 mi · 3 min · US 231
13

Continue on US 231

36 mi · 42 min · US 231
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on McGehee Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · McGehee Road
Use the straight lane.
15

Turn right onto Carter Hill Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Carter Hill Road
16

Continue on Zelda Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
17

Turn right onto Ann Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Ann Street
18

Turn left

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 3 Toward Ann Street South Use the left lane.
19

Merge onto I 85

2.5 mi · 3 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
21

Merge onto I 65; US 82

88 mi · 1 hr 36 min · I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 260B Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
23

Turn right onto US 11; US 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Turn left onto 19th Street North

0.1 mi · 17 sec · 19th Street North
25

Turn right onto 5th Avenue North

0.5 mi · 50 sec · 5th Avenue North
26

Turn right onto 24th Street North

46 ft · 1 sec · 24th Street North
27

Arrive at destination

24th Street North

Trip Plan

Since the total drive time is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop during the 168.1-mile trek to stretch your legs and keep your energy levels consistent. Because the longest stretch is 88.1 miles on I-65, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before you merge onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary pit stops during that busy section. Keeping an eye on your navigation is key when transitioning from US 231 to the major interstate corridors. By pacing yourself with a mid-trip break, you can arrive in Birmingham feeling refreshed rather than fatigued from the steady highway driving.

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 84 miles from Elba, AL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 80 miles or 1h 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84 miles or 1h 58m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 57m

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 Elba, 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 Elba, AL

This is one driving day of about 168.1 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elba, 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 I 65 for about 88.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84 mi from Elba, AL · 1h 58m into the drive

Downtown Dadeville, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dadeville, AL

84 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

Dadeville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dadeville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84 miles from Elba, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.1 miles.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 168.1
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.70 one way

$51.40 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $28.19 $56.37
premium $4.61 $30.51 $61.02
diesel $5.64 $37.35 $74.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

35 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Southlawn Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Montgomery, AL

Tesla

16 DCFC

Lowe's Home Improvement - Tesla Supercharger

Alabaster, AL

Tesla

16 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Birmingham, AL

Tesla

16 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Montgomery, AL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Prattville Town Center - Tesla Supercharger

Prattville, AL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Lane Parke Shopping Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Mountain Brook, AL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Target Homewood #T2796

Homewood, AL

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

Stivers Ford of Montgomery

Montgomery, AL

RED_E

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 14 Tesla: 6 RED_E: 4 Non-Networked: 3 Electrify America: 2 EV Connect: 1 CHAEVI: 1 Blink Network: 1 POWERPUMP: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1 eVgo Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.4 0 $17.65 $8.07
Efficient EV 42 0 $14.71 $6.72
EV Truck/SUV 67.2 0 $23.53 $10.76

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Elba, AL

Morning in Elba on Monday

Local time

7:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Birmingham, AL

Morning in Birmingham on Monday

Local time

7:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 32m 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 Elba, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 168.1 miles and takes about 3h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, US 231, Neal Grantham Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84 miles from Elba, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.70 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 168.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 75.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Elba, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Birmingham, AL to Elba, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

168.6 mi 3h 33m

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