Origin
Red Bay, AL
Evening in Red Bay on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Red Bay, AL to Birmingham, AL
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
118.7 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Bay, AL
Jan van der Wolf
Birmingham, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Red Bay to Birmingham, expect a straightforward journey covering 118.7 miles through the heart of Alabama. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 2 hours and 18 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $18 for fuel, as this is a very efficient route that avoids the need for an overnight stay. Since both cities are located within the Southeast, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, the direct nature of this path ensures you spend less time behind the wheel and more time at your destination.
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
59.3 miles from Red Bay, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with a massive 95% of your trip spent cruising on major thoroughfares. You will start by navigating local Alabama Highway 19 before transitioning onto the interstate system. The core of your journey features a long, uninterrupted 87.8-mile stretch on I-22, which allows for steady, consistent speeds. Because the vast majority of the route is interstate-based, the character of the drive is utilitarian and efficient rather than technical. Expect a smooth, high-speed experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 87.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and Alabama Highway 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.3 miles in near I 22; US 78.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 118.7 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 25.3 miles (I 22; US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
25.3 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 22; US 78
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
113 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
5
113.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
116.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m 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
7
118 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
19th Street North
Turn right onto 19th Street North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 22 | 87.8 mi | 1h 34m |
| Alabama Highway 19 | 22.2 mi | 30m |
| I 65 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| 11th Street East | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 19th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| AL 74 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 22
— 87.8 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Bay, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on 4th Street Southeast
108 ft
·
6 sec
·
4th Street Southeast
2
Turn right onto AL 19
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
4th Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto AL 19
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
11th Street East
4
Continue on AL 19
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Alabama Highway 19
5
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 19
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Alabama Highway 19
6
Turn right onto AL 74
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
AL 74
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-22 East: Birmingham
8
Merge onto I 22; US 78
88 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
I 22; US 78
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 65
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
I 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 261A
Toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn right onto 19th Street North
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
19th Street North
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
5th Avenue North
15
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
16
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the route is dominated by I-22 and I-65, keep an eye on traffic reports, especially as you approach the Birmingham metro area. There are no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, but you may want to fuel up before hitting the long 87.8-mile stretch on I-22 to ensure you have plenty of range. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour congestion near the city. Planning your fuel stop in Red Bay before you head out will help you stick to your $18 budget and keep your focus on the road ahead.
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 59.3 miles from Red Bay, AL, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
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 Red Bay, 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 Red Bay, AL
This is one driving day of about 118.7 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Red Bay, 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 22 for about 87.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.3 mi from Red Bay, AL · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 59.3 miles from Red Bay, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 22 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.8 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.15 one way
$36.29 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $19.90 | $39.81 |
| premium | $4.61 | $21.54 | $43.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.37 | $52.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.46 | $5.70 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.62 | $7.60 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Evening in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
83°F
Bear Creek, AL
59 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 18m 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 Red Bay, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 118.7 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 22, Alabama Highway 19, I 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.3 miles from Red Bay, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.15 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 12 significant decision points across 118.7 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 25.3 miles (I 22; US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Red Bay, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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