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Trip from Florala, AL to Birmingham, AL

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

205.4 mi

331 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 47m ★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m

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 Florala, AL, AL

Florala, AL

Earth Photart

city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

Birmingham, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 205.4-mile journey from Florala, AL to Birmingham, AL is a straightforward drive, estimated to take just under 4 hours. It's easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a fuel cost estimated around $31. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within Alabama. You'll spend the majority of your time on major roadways, traversing through the heart of the Southeast region. This drive is ideal for those looking for a practical and relatively quick transit rather than an immersive scenic experience.

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

102.7 miles from Florala, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 80% of the journey on major roads like I 65. You'll experience an 145.2-mile stretch on I 65 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. The initial part of your drive on Lockala Avenue and AL 55 will transition you onto this main interstate artery. The road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over winding, scenic byways. Prepare for a drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination smoothly and directly.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 145.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Lockala Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 24.6 miles (US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 58.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue

Turn sharp left onto US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
24.6 mi into trip | ~35m in | US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass

At end of road, turn right onto US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass

Navigation decision point

5
58.5 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
5
58.8 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
203.9 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in

Take the exit toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 260B Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 145.2 mi 2h 38m
Lockala Avenue 21.7 mi 30m
AL 55 19.9 mi 23m
Mobile Road 9.3 mi 11m
River Falls Street 3.9 mi 6m
Western Bypass 2.7 mi 4m
3rd Avenue North 0.7 mi 1m
Lockhart Boulevard 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 145.2 mi, about 2h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Wall Street

98 ft · 11 sec · Wall Street
2

Turn sharp left onto US 331; SR 55

0.5 mi · 52 sec · 5th Avenue
3

Continue on AL 55

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Lockhart Boulevard
4

Continue on AL 55

22 mi · 30 min · Lockala Avenue
5

Turn left onto AL 55

1.9 mi · 2 min · AL 55
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 29; AL 55

2.7 mi · 4 min · Western Bypass
7

Continue on US 29; AL 55

469 ft · 16 sec · River Falls Street
8

Continue on US 84; AL 55

3.8 mi · 6 min · River Falls Street
9

Turn right onto AL 55

18 mi · 20 min · AL 55
10

Continue on US 31; AL 55

9.3 mi · 11 min · Mobile Road
11

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 65

145 mi · 2 hr 38 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 260B Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
14

Turn right onto US 11; US 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn left onto 19th Street North

0.1 mi · 17 sec · 19th Street North
16

Turn right onto 5th Avenue North

0.5 mi · 50 sec · 5th Avenue North
17

Turn right onto 24th Street North

46 ft · 1 sec · 24th Street North
18

Arrive at destination

24th Street North

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour 59-minute duration and 205.4-mile distance, this trip is best tackled in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Birmingham without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I 65, as services can be spaced out. A good tip for this route is to ensure your vehicle is fueled before you leave Florala to maximize your time on the road without unnecessary detours.

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 102.7 miles from Florala, AL, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.2 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 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 102.7 miles or 2h 6m 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 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 Florala, 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 Florala, AL

This is one driving day of about 205.4 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Florala, 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 145.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 102.7 mi from Florala, AL · 2h 6m into the drive

city in Covington County, Alabama, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Andalusia, AL

103 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.

Popular next leg

Andalusia, AL to Birmingham, AL

179.3 mi · 3h 22m

Pacing Suggestions

Andalusia, 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 102.7 miles from Florala, 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 145.2 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.

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.

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 205.4
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.02 one way

$62.04 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $34.05 $68.11
premium $4.56 $36.87 $73.73
diesel $5.61 $45.35 $90.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.6 0 $21.57 $9.86
Efficient EV 51.4 0 $17.97 $8.22
EV Truck/SUV 82.2 1 $28.76 $13.15

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Florala, AL

Night in Florala on Tuesday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Birmingham, AL

Night in Birmingham on Tuesday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

31 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 59m 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 Florala, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 205.4 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Lockala Avenue, AL 55. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.7 miles from Florala, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.02 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 59m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 24.6 miles (US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 58.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Florala, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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