Origin
Prichard, AL
Morning in Prichard on Wednesday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Prichard, AL to Birmingham, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 36m
Distance
253 mi
407 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 23m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prichard, AL
Ludovic Delot
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 253-mile drive from Prichard, AL to Birmingham, AL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 36 minutes on the road, primarily on I-65. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, this drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.5 miles from Prichard, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The personality of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with a 99% highway share. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I-65, experiencing a consistent pace for long stretches. The longest uninterrupted segment on I-65 spans an impressive 249.5 miles, meaning you can settle in for a considerable period. While primarily interstate, you will transition onto 3rd Avenue North and I-165 at different points, offering minor shifts in the driving environment before returning to the main highway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 249.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and 3rd Avenue North. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 36m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 65: Montgomery
5
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
251.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m 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
5
251.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
|
US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
252.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
|
5th Avenue North
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 249.5 mi | 4h 30m |
| 3rd Avenue North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| I 165 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 19th Street North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Wilson Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Azan Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 249.5 mi, about 4h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prichard, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on East Azan Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Azan Street
2
Turn left onto North Wilson Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Wilson Avenue
3
Turn right
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Merge onto I 165
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 165
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 65: Montgomery
7
Merge onto I 65
250 mi
·
4 hr 30 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 260B
Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
9
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto 19th Street North
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
19th Street North
11
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
5th Avenue North
12
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
13
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 36-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Birmingham. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of nearly 250 miles, plan your breaks accordingly to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $38 estimated cost suggests a single fill-up might suffice, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on the longest segment. The flexibility of this route means you can adjust your stop timing based on your personal pace.
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 126.5 miles from Prichard, AL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 249.5 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 18m 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 46m
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 Prichard, 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 Prichard, AL
This is one driving day of about 253 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Prichard, 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 249.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.5 mi from Prichard, AL · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.5 miles from Prichard, 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 249.5 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.21 one way
$76.42 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $41.94 | $83.89 |
| premium | $4.56 | $45.41 | $90.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.86 | $111.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.56 | $12.14 |
| Efficient EV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.14 | $10.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.2 | 1 | $35.42 | $16.19 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in Birmingham on Wednesday
Local time
7:14 AM
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
7 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
4h 36m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Prichard, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 253 miles and takes about 4h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, 3rd Avenue North, I 165. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.5 miles from Prichard, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.21 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 36m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Prichard, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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