Skip to main content

Trip from Hamilton, AL to Brilliant, AL

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

27m

Distance

19.6 mi

32 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 25m ★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m

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

Downtown Hamilton, AL, AL

Hamilton, AL

muaz semih güven

Downtown Brilliant, AL, AL

Brilliant, AL

Merlin Lightpainting

Trip Overview

This short 19.6-mile drive from Hamilton, AL to Brilliant, AL takes approximately 27 minutes, making it an easy day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $3, it's a budget-friendly option for a quick journey. The route is primarily highway-focused, with a significant portion on I 22. You'll be staying within the Southeast region and the state of Alabama for this entire trip. Given its brevity, this drive is perfect for a spontaneous outing or as a segment of a larger exploration of the area.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 27m. Total distance: 19.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (69%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 19.6-mile trip, with 69% of the route utilizing highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 8.8 miles on I 22, offering a consistent pace. You'll also navigate Military Street South and State Highway 44, which might introduce some variations in road type and speed. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, with the interstate providing a straightforward path between your start and end points.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 22 is the longest continuous segment at about 8.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and Military Street South. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 27m drive. You will face about 6 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 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 22; US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

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

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South

Turn right onto US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
5.2 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward I-22 East: Jasper

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I-22 East: Jasper
3
5.4 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 22; US 78

Merge onto I 22; US 78

Merge point - match speed before joining

6
14.2 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward 44: Brilliant, Guin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 26 Toward 44: Brilliant, Guin
7
14.4 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward AL 44 East: Brilliant

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 26 Toward AL 44 East: Brilliant

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Hamilton, AL and Brilliant, AL, road signs point toward 44: Brilliant and Guin.

44: Brilliant

14.2 mi in | ~18m

Guin

14.2 mi in | ~18m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 22 8.8 mi 9m
Military Street South 5.2 mi 8m
State Highway 44 4.2 mi 5m
Old Hwy 129 0.6 mi 1m
Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
Bexar Avenue West <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 22 — 8.8 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton, AL and Brilliant, AL.

1

Start on AL 74

21 ft · 4 sec · Bexar Avenue West
2

Turn right onto US 43; US 278; AL 17

5.2 mi · 8 min · Military Street South
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I-22 East: Jasper Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 22; US 78

8.8 mi · 9 min · I 22; US 78
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 26 Toward 44: Brilliant, Guin
6

Keep slight left at fork

138 ft · 9 sec
Exit 26 Toward AL 44 East: Brilliant
7

Turn left onto AL 44

4.2 mi · 5 min · State Highway 44
8

Continue on Old Hwy 129

0.6 mi · 1 min · Old Hwy 129
9

Continue on Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
10

Arrive at destination

Old Hwy 129

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.96 one way

$5.92 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 7 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $3.25 $6.50
premium $4.56 $3.52 $7.04
diesel $5.61 $4.33 $8.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$3

Estimated CO2 emission: 6.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 5.9 0 $2.06 $0.94
Efficient EV 4.9 0 $1.72 $0.78
EV Truck/SUV 7.8 0 $2.74 $1.25

Gas CO2

7 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (71% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hamilton, AL

Late night in Hamilton on Friday

Local time

1:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brilliant, AL

Late night in Brilliant on Friday

Local time

1:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

27m 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 Hamilton, AL to Brilliant, AL covers 19.6 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 22, Military Street South, State Highway 44. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.8 miles from Hamilton, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.96 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 straightforward 27m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 22; US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Between Hamilton, AL and Brilliant, AL, road signs point toward 44: Brilliant and Guin.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Hamilton, AL or browse trips ending in Brilliant, AL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.