Origin
Semmes, AL
Evening in Semmes on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Semmes, AL to Birmingham, AL
Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
260.7 mi
419 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 36m
★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Semmes, AL
MAMADO CONF
Birmingham, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Semmes to Birmingham covers 260.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is well within the limits of a single day, you can easily complete it in one sitting without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-65, Industrial Parkway, and Moffett Road to navigate across the Southeast. Budgeting around $40 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that is perfect for those looking to reach their destination efficiently while staying within Alabama.
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
130.3 miles from Semmes, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 97% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-65, which accounts for a significant 246.1-mile uninterrupted stretch. While the journey begins with local navigation via Industrial Parkway and Moffett Road, the character of the drive quickly shifts to a standard interstate pace. The transition from the outskirts of Semmes to the busier corridors leading into Birmingham is consistent and predictable. This is a purposeful drive designed for steady progress rather than winding exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 246.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Industrial Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 49m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.4 miles (CR 31 / Schillinger Road North): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
CR 31 / Schillinger Road North
Turn sharp left onto CR 31 / Schillinger Road North
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Turn left toward I 65 North: Montgomery
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 65 North: Montgomery
5
13.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
259.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 246.1 mi | 4h 26m |
| Industrial Parkway | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| Moffett Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Schillinger Road North | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Newburn Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 3rd Avenue North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 19th Street North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 246.1 mi, about 4h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Semmes, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on this road
118 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right
133 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn right onto US 98
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Moffett Road
4
Turn sharp left onto CR 31
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Schillinger Road North
5
Continue on Newburn Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Newburn Road
6
Turn right onto AL 158
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Industrial Parkway
Use the none lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 65 North: Montgomery
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 65
246 mi
·
4 hr 26 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 260B
Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
10
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
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
·
50 sec
·
5th Avenue North
13
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
14
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Since the trip is a manageable 4-hour and 49-minute haul, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you break up the 260.7-mile trek and keep you alert behind the wheel. Given the reliance on I-65, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the Birmingham metropolitan area, as volume can fluctuate significantly. To make the most of your fuel budget, try to fill up before hitting the main interstate stretches. Utilizing your single planned stop midway through the longest 246.1-mile stretch is the best way to maintain your comfort throughout the day.
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 130.3 miles from Semmes, AL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.1 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.3 miles or 2h 26m 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 57m
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 Semmes, 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 Semmes, AL
This is one driving day of about 260.7 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Semmes, 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 246.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130.3 mi from Semmes, AL · 2h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 130.3 miles from Semmes, 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 246.1 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
$39.85 one way
$79.71 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $43.71 | $87.43 |
| premium | $4.61 | $47.32 | $94.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.92 | $115.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.2 | 0 | $27.37 | $12.51 |
| Efficient EV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.81 | $10.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.3 | 1 | $36.50 | $16.68 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Evening in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
6:46 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
3 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
4h 49m 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 Semmes, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 260.7 miles and takes about 4h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Industrial Parkway, Moffett Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130.3 miles from Semmes, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.85 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 49m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.4 miles (CR 31 / Schillinger Road North): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Semmes, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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