Origin
Texas, AL
Afternoon in Texas on Friday
Local time
12:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Texas, AL to Highland Lakes, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
83.4 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Texas, AL
Mark Direen
Highland Lakes, AL
Surja Raj
Trip Overview
Texas, AL to Highland Lakes, AL is 83.4 miles and takes about 1h 42m via I 22 and US 280, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's a good option for a quick getaway or a connecting leg of a longer journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from Texas, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 83.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 91% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 55.9 miles on I 22, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. While the majority is highway, expect transitions onto US 280 and Bankhead Highway, which may offer a slightly different driving feel. Overall, anticipate a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 55.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and US 280. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near AL 13.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.9 miles (AL 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
AL 13
Turn left onto AL 13
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
62.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
8
67.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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
67.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
7
70.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
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.
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Texas, AL and Highland Lakes, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
Gadsden
66.1 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Downtown
67.3 mi in
|
~1h 16m
Zoo Gardens
70.5 mi in
|
~1h 21m
|
via US 280
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 22 | 55.9 mi | 59m |
| US 280 | 11.1 mi | 16m |
| Bankhead Highway | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| I 65 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| AL 13 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Highland Lakes Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| I 20 | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 22
— 55.9 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texas, AL and Highland Lakes, AL.
1
Start on AL 118
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Bankhead Highway
2
Continue on AL 118
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Bankhead Highway
3
Turn left onto AL 13
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
AL 13
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 65
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 261B
Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
9
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20; I 59
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
13
Take the exit onto US 280
11 mi
·
16 min
·
US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Highland Lakes Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Highland Lakes Drive
15
Turn left onto Highland Lakes Trail
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Lakes Trail
16
Turn right onto Blue Heron Point
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Blue Heron Point
17
Arrive at destination
Blue Heron Point
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over an hour and a half, this is a very manageable drive, making it ideal for a same-day trip. You won't need to worry much about fuel stops, with an estimated cost of only $13. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. Since the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 55.9 miles on I 22, plan your breaks before or after this longer highway segment to keep things comfortable.
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 41.7 miles from Texas, AL, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 47m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland Lakes, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Texas, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Texas, AL
This is one driving day of about 83.4 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Texas, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 22 for about 55.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.7 mi from Texas, AL · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.7 miles from Texas, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Highland Lakes, AL
The final approach into Highland Lakes, 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
$12.60 one way
$25.19 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.83 | $27.65 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.97 | $29.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.41 | $36.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25 | 0 | $8.76 | $4.00 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.30 | $3.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.68 | $5.34 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Highland Lakes, AL
Afternoon in Highland Lakes on Friday
Local time
12:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Birmingham, AL
42 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
1h 42m 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 Texas, AL to Highland Lakes, AL covers 83.4 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 22, US 280, Bankhead Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.7 miles from Texas, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.60 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 83.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.9 miles (AL 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Texas, AL and Highland Lakes, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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