Origin
Samson, AL
Afternoon in Samson on Sunday
Local time
4:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Samson, AL to Birmingham, AL
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
193.8 mi
312 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Samson, AL
mori dad
Birmingham, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Samson to Birmingham covers 193.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Southeast region of Alabama, moving from the southern tip toward the northern hub. Since the drive is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Because the path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a distinct change of pace compared to standard highway transit. Use this itinerary if you prefer a direct, local connection over the faster but more sterile routes found on larger thoroughfares.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.9 miles from Samson, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. With a highway share of 0%, you will navigate through local thoroughfares like River Falls Street, Mobile Road, and US 11 rather than cruising on an interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on River Falls Street, meaning you should prepare for frequent turns and a slower, more deliberate pace. This is not a route for cruise control; instead, it is a technical drive that requires active navigation through various local segments. You will spend the entire journey off the highway system, providing a grounded, hands-on experience that shifts constantly as you transition between roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
River Falls Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Samson, AL to Birmingham, AL is easy. At 3h 15m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Samson, AL to Birmingham, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| River Falls Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Mobile Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 11 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 3rd Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 19th Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 5th Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 24th Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
River Falls Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Samson, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Main Street
17 mi
·
25 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn left
18 mi
·
21 min
3
Take the exit slight right
217 ft
·
6 sec
4
Turn slight right onto River Falls Street
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
River Falls Street
5
Turn right
18 mi
·
20 min
6
Continue on Mobile Road
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Mobile Road
7
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
8
Merge slight left
145 mi
·
2 hr 38 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US 11: 3rd Avenue North
10
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue North
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue North
11
Turn left onto 19th Street North
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
19th Street North
12
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
5th Avenue North
13
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since you are relying on local roads for the duration of this 193.8-mile trip, plan your departure early to account for the slower pace compared to highway travel. You should budget for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the constant turns can make for a more tiring experience than a straight interstate haul. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially given the $26 estimated cost, and ensure you are comfortable navigating non-highway routes before setting out. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so do not hesitate to adjust your timing if you encounter local traffic. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation app active at all times, as the lack of highway signage on these local roads can make it easy to miss a turn.
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 96.9 miles from Samson, AL, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.9 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
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 Samson, 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 Samson, AL
This is one driving day of about 193.8 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Samson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.9 mi from Samson, AL · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 96.9 miles from Samson, 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.
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
$29.63 one way
$59.25 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $32.50 | $64.99 |
| premium | $4.61 | $35.17 | $70.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.06 | $86.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.35 | $9.30 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.96 | $7.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 Sunday
Local time
4:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°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
1 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
3h 15m 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 Samson, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 193.8 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are River Falls Street, Mobile Road, US 11. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.9 miles from Samson, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.63 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Samson, AL to Birmingham, AL is easy. At 3h 15m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Samson, AL to Birmingham, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Samson, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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