Origin
Fairfield, AL
Afternoon in Fairfield on Thursday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, AL to Alabaster, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
160.1 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alabaster, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairfield, AL to Alabaster, AL covers 160.1 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, AL 55, Mobile Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 123.6 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.18 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
80.1 miles from Fairfield, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 160.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 160.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and AL 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 123.6 miles on I 65.
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 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 123.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and AL 55. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 12.7 miles in near CR 107 / County Road 107.
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 15m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles (CR 107 / County Road 107): Navigation decision point; at 13.1 miles (AL 55): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 34.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
12.7 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
CR 107 / County Road 107
At end of road, turn left onto CR 107 / County Road 107
Navigation decision point
5
13.1 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
AL 55
Turn sharp left onto AL 55
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
34.7 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
158.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
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.
Toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
5
160.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 123.6 mi | 2h 13m |
| AL 55 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Mobile Road | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| Loango Road | 8.5 mi | 20m |
| Ealum Mill Road | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Judge Smith Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| 1st Street South | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| County Road 82 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 123.6 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, AL and Alabaster, AL.
1
Start on CR 7
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Judge Smith Road
2
Turn right onto CR 7
8.5 mi
·
20 min
·
Loango Road
3
Continue on CR 7
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Ealum Mill Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR 107
204 ft
·
10 sec
·
County Road 107
5
Turn right onto County Road 82
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
County Road 82
6
Turn sharp left onto AL 55
12 mi
·
14 min
·
AL 55
7
Continue on US 31; AL 55
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Mobile Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 65
124 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
I 65
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn slight left onto US 31
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street South
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left
177 ft
·
18 sec
13
Turn right
97 ft
·
7 sec
14
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 80.1 miles from Fairfield, AL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.6 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 35 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.1 miles or 1h 46m 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 42m
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 Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, AL
This is one driving day of about 160.1 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Fairfield, 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 123.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.1 mi from Fairfield, AL · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.1 miles from Fairfield, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.6 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.18 one way
$48.36 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $26.54 | $53.09 |
| premium | $4.56 | $28.74 | $57.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.35 | $70.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.81 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.01 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.41 | $10.25 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Alabaster, AL
Afternoon in Alabaster on Thursday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
2 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 15m 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 Fairfield, AL to Alabaster, AL covers 160.1 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, AL 55, Mobile Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.1 miles from Fairfield, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.18 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 15m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles (CR 107 / County Road 107): Navigation decision point; at 13.1 miles (AL 55): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 34.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fairfield, AL to Alabaster, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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