Origin
Leeds, AL
Afternoon in Leeds on Thursday
Local time
12:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leeds, AL to Birmingham, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
25m
Distance
17.1 mi
27 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leeds, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute or a straightforward transit between Leeds and Birmingham, Alabama, this 17.1-mile journey is a breeze. Clocking in at approximately 25 minutes, the route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. Budgeting for fuel is simple here, as you will likely spend no more than $3 for the entire trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a familiar, consistent atmosphere throughout your time behind the wheel. It is an incredibly efficient connection that serves as a practical link between the two locations.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 25m. Total distance: 17.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 70% of your travel spent on major thoroughfares like I-20. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 9.2 miles. Beyond the heavy highway usage, the route transitions into local navigation using 1st Avenue North and Parkway Drive. Expect a functional, high-speed experience for the majority of the trip before shifting into the more urban environments of Birmingham. It is a no-nonsense transit that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, scenic backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 9.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and 1st Avenue North. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 78 / Parkway Drive.
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 25m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 78 / Parkway Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 78 / Parkway Drive
Turn right onto US 78 / Parkway Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I-20 West: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-20 West: Birmingham
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
12.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward 1st Avenue South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 130B
Toward 1st Avenue South
4
16.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
24th Street North
Turn right onto 24th Street North
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Leeds, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward 1St Avenue South along the way.
1St Avenue South
12.6 mi in
|
~17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| 1st Avenue North | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Parkway Drive | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| 24th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ashville Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 64th Street South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 9.2 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leeds, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Ashville Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Ashville Road
2
Turn right onto US 78
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Parkway Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I-20 West: Birmingham
Use the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 20
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 130B
Toward 1st Avenue South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on 64th Street South
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
64th Street South
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto US 11
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
1st Avenue North
8
Turn right onto 24th Street North
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
24th Street North
9
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.58 one way
$5.17 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $2.83 | $5.67 |
| premium | $4.56 | $3.07 | $6.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.78 | $7.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.80 | $0.82 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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
Afternoon in Birmingham on Thursday
Local time
12:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
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
25m 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 Leeds, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 17.1 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, 1st Avenue North, Parkway 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 8.5 miles from Leeds, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.58 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 25m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 78 / Parkway Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Leeds, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward 1St Avenue South along the way.
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