Origin
Fultondale, AL
Late night in Fultondale on Wednesday
Local time
1:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fultondale, AL to Birmingham, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
13m
Distance
8.3 mi
13 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 13m
★
6 AM
0h 14m
8 AM
0h 16m
10 AM
0h 15m
12 PM
0h 14m
3 PM
0h 15m
5 PM
0h 16m
8 PM
0h 13m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fultondale, AL
Tomás Asurmendi
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 8.3-mile drive from Fultondale to Birmingham, Alabama, is easily manageable in just 13 minutes, making it a perfect quick trip. You'll be traversing familiar Southeast terrain, staying within the same state. With a minimal fuel cost estimated at just $1, this route is incredibly budget-friendly. It's ideal for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. The drive offers a mixed experience, blending interstate travel with city roads, so you won't be stuck on one type of pavement for too long. Consider this a straightforward hop between two points in Alabama.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
4.2 miles from Fultondale, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 43% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches on I-65, the longest of which is 3.6 miles, offering a taste of faster-paced travel. The route also incorporates local roads like Decatur Highway and 5th Avenue North, which will likely present a different driving experience. Expect the road to transition from open highway to more urban conditions as you approach Birmingham. This blend means you'll encounter varying speed limits and traffic patterns throughout the 13-minute trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 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 3.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 31 / Decatur Highway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 8.3 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 0.2 miles (US 31 / Decatur Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 31 / Decatur Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 31 / Decatur Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
7
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
6.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 261A
Toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fultondale, AL and Birmingham, AL, road signs point toward Montgomery, 17Th Street North and Downtown.
Montgomery
2.3 mi in
|
~4m
17Th Street North
6.3 mi in
|
~9m
Downtown
6.3 mi in
|
~9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Decatur Highway | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 19th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Whaley Road | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 3.6 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fultondale, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Whaley Road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Whaley Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Decatur Highway
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Use the slight right lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 65
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 261A
Toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto 19th Street North
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
19th Street North
9
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
5th Avenue North
10
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
11
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Given the short 8.3-mile distance and 13-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving Fultondale, AL, you can easily complete this drive in one go without needing to stop for fuel, as the estimated cost is only $1. Pay attention to the transition from I-65 to local roads like Decatur Highway and 5th Avenue North as you near Birmingham; this is where traffic can become more complex. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is just 3.6 miles on I-65, you can afford to take your time and enjoy the short journey.
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 4.2 miles from Fultondale, AL, or about 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.6 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 8.3 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.2 miles or 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 11m
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 Fultondale, 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 Fultondale, AL
This is one driving day of about 8.3 miles and 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fultondale, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 3.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.2 mi from Fultondale, AL · 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 8.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.2 miles from Fultondale, 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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.25 one way
$2.51 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $1.38 | $2.75 |
| premium | $4.56 | $1.49 | $2.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.83 | $3.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.87 | $0.40 |
| Efficient EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.73 | $0.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.16 | $0.53 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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
Late night in Birmingham on Wednesday
Local time
1:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Hoover, AL
4 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
13m 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 Fultondale, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 8.3 miles and takes about 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Decatur Highway, 5th Avenue North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.2 miles from Fultondale, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.25 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 8.3 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 0.2 miles (US 31 / Decatur Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Fultondale, AL and Birmingham, AL, road signs point toward Montgomery, 17Th Street North and Downtown.
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