Origin
Smoke Rise, AL
Night in Smoke Rise on Wednesday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smoke Rise, AL to Birmingham, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
44m
Distance
29.2 mi
47 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 52m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smoke Rise, AL
Marino Kurunić
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Smoke Rise to Birmingham, you are looking at a quick, 29.2-mile journey that typically takes about 44 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to handle in under an hour without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Smoke Rise Trail, Crosshill Lane, and I-65. Budgeting around $4 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Southeast region of Alabama, you will find the trip straightforward and familiar. It is an ideal commute for those who need to get between these two points efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
14.6 miles from Smoke Rise, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 29.2-mile trek is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent on major routes. You will experience a significant 21.7-mile stretch on I-65, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Transitioning from local roads like Smoke Rise Trail and Crosshill Lane onto the interstate creates a clear shift from neighborhood driving to a more consistent highway pace. Expect a functional, direct experience behind the wheel rather than a winding backroad tour. The road's personality is defined by this high-speed interstate segment, making it a reliable path for reaching your destination quickly.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Crosshill Lane 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 Smoke Rise, AL to Birmingham, AL is easy. At 44m 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 Smoke Rise, AL to Birmingham, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crosshill Lane | — | — |
| Crosshill Trail | — | — |
| Ridge Trail | — | — |
| Scenic Trail | — | — |
| Smoke Rise Trail | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
| I 22 West | — | — |
| Montgomery | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Crosshill Lane
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smoke Rise, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on the route
157 ft
·
17 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto Crosshill Lane
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Crosshill Lane
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Crosshill Trail
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosshill Trail
4
Turn right onto Ridge Trail
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ridge Trail
5
Continue on Ridge Trail
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Ridge Trail
6
Turn left onto Scenic Trail
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Scenic Trail
7
Turn left onto Smoke Rise Trail
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Smoke Rise Trail
8
Continue on Smoke Rise Trail
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Smoke Rise Trail
9
At the end of the road, turn right
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
200 ft
·
5 sec
·
the route
11
Exit the roundabout
256 ft
·
7 sec
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
223 ft
·
7 sec
·
the route
13
Exit the roundabout
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
249 ft
·
4 sec
·
the route
15
Exit the roundabout
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
16
Merge slight left
18 mi
·
19 min
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 22 West: Memphis
19
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Montgomery
20
Merge slight left
3.6 mi
·
4 min
21
Take the exit slight left toward 17th Street North, Downtown
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street North, Downtown
22
Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
23
Turn right onto 19th Street North
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
19th Street North
24
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
5th Avenue North
25
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
26
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 44-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You can easily complete the trip without scheduling any mid-route stops, as the total distance is manageable in one go. Keep in mind that since I-65 makes up the bulk of your travel, traffic volume on that interstate could impact your arrival time during peak hours. Since you only need about $4 in fuel, filling up before you leave Smoke Rise is a simple way to ensure you are ready to go. Use this efficiency to your advantage by focusing on your arrival in Birmingham rather than worrying about mid-trip logistics.
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 14.6 miles from Smoke Rise, AL, or about 22m 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 29 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.6 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Birmingham, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Smoke Rise, AL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Smoke Rise, AL
This is one driving day of about 29.2 miles and 44m.
At 29.2 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.6 mi from Smoke Rise, AL · 22m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.6 miles from Smoke Rise, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Birmingham, AL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Birmingham, AL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.41 one way
$8.82 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $4.84 | $9.68 |
| premium | $4.56 | $5.24 | $10.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.45 | $12.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
| Efficient EV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.55 | $1.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.09 | $1.87 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Night in Birmingham on Wednesday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
44m 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 Smoke Rise, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 29.2 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Crosshill Lane, Crosshill Trail, Ridge Trail. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.6 miles from Smoke Rise, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.41 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.
The drive from Smoke Rise, AL to Birmingham, AL is easy. At 44m 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 Smoke Rise, AL to Birmingham, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Smoke Rise, AL to Birmingham, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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