Origin
Riverside, AL
Morning in Riverside on Saturday
Local time
8:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverside, AL to Birmingham, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
48.1 mi
77 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 16m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverside, AL
🇻🇳🇻🇳 Việt Anh Nguyễn 🇻🇳🇻🇳
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Riverside, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 48.1 miles and takes about 1h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on AL 79, US 231, CR 26 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.9 miles on AL 79. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 48.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 13m highway drive covering 48.1 miles, with most of the trip on AL 79 and US 231. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.9 miles on AL 79.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
AL 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 38.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 79 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 45.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.5 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
45.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
5
45.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
47.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downt...
8
47.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
6
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 79 | 38.9 mi | 58m |
| US 231 | 3 mi | 4m |
| CR 26 | 3 mi | 5m |
| I 20 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Tallapoosa Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 6th Avenue North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
AL 79
— 38.9 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on CR 26
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
CR 26
2
Turn left onto AL 79
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
AL 79
3
Turn left onto US 231
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 231
4
Continue on AL 79
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
AL 79
5
Enter roundabout onto AL 79
195 ft
·
3 sec
·
AL 79
6
Continue on AL 79
34 mi
·
49 min
·
AL 79
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on AL 79
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Tallapoosa Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
219 ft
·
7 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on 6th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
6th Avenue North
14
Turn left onto 24th Street North
523 ft
·
14 sec
·
24th Street North
15
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.1 mi from Riverside, AL · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.1 miles from Riverside, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.26 one way
$14.53 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $7.97 | $15.95 |
| premium | $4.56 | $8.63 | $17.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.62 | $21.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.05 | $2.31 |
| Efficient EV | 12 | 0 | $4.21 | $1.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.73 | $3.08 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Morning in Birmingham on Saturday
Local time
8:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Hayden, AL
24 mi in
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
27 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
1h 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 Riverside, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 48.1 miles and takes about 1h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are AL 79, US 231, CR 26. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.1 miles from Riverside, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.26 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 45.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.5 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Riverside, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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