Origin
Woodstock, AL
Night in Woodstock on Wednesday
Local time
9:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodstock, AL to Birmingham, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
41m
Distance
34.1 mi
55 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodstock, AL
Bárbara Oliveira
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 34.1-mile drive from Woodstock to Birmingham, Alabama, will take you about 41 minutes to complete, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily travel on AL 5 and State Route 5, with a section of Eastern Valley Road. With a projected fuel cost of around $5, this is a budget-friendly excursion. Since both locations are within the Southeast region and the same state, you won't experience significant regional changes, but you will notice the transition into a more urban environment as you approach Birmingham. This route is perfect for a quick hop between towns without needing an overnight stay.
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
17 miles from Woodstock, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this journey. With only a 12% highway share, this route is more about navigating local roads and state highways than high-speed cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 3 miles on AL 5. The road's personality will likely shift from more rural or suburban surroundings to a busier, more developed feel as you get closer to Birmingham. Be prepared for frequent turns and adjustments to your speed as you traverse these local and state routes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
AL 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 34.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.2 miles (Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
4.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
32.4 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 124D
Toward 17th Street North, Downtown
5
33.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
33.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
19th Street North
Turn right onto 19th Street North
Navigation decision point
4
34.1 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
24th Street North
Turn right onto 24th Street North
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodstock, AL and Birmingham, AL, road signs point toward 17Th Street North and Downtown.
17Th Street North
32.4 mi in
|
~38m
Downtown
32.4 mi in
|
~38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 5 | 3 mi | 4m |
| State Route 5 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Eastern Valley Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 19th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Strickland Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
AL 5
— 3 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodstock, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Strickland Drive
466 ft
·
21 sec
·
Strickland Drive
2
Turn left onto Eastern Valley Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Eastern Valley Road
3
Turn right onto AL 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 5
4
Turn slight right onto AL 5
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
AL 5
5
Take the ramp
28 mi
·
30 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 124D
Toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto 19th Street North
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
19th Street North
9
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
5th Avenue North
10
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
11
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Given the short 41-minute duration and 34.1-mile distance, you have a lot of flexibility with when to depart for your trip from Woodstock to Birmingham. Leaving in the morning should easily get you to your destination with plenty of time for activities. The $5 fuel cost is minimal, so you likely won't need many stops for gas. Pay attention to local traffic patterns, especially as you enter the Birmingham area, as this is a turn-heavy local drive. A good tip would be to ensure your GPS is updated, as navigating numerous turns on local roads can be easier with precise directions.
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 17 miles from Woodstock, AL, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
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 Woodstock, AL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Woodstock, AL
This is one driving day of about 34.1 miles and 41m.
At 34.1 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on AL 5 for about 3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17 mi from Woodstock, AL · 21m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17 miles from Woodstock, 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
$5.15 one way
$10.30 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $5.65 | $11.31 |
| premium | $4.56 | $6.12 | $12.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.53 | $15.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.58 | $1.64 |
| Efficient EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.98 | $1.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.77 | $2.18 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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
9:06 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
29 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
41m 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 Woodstock, AL to Birmingham, AL covers 34.1 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are AL 5, State Route 5, Eastern Valley Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17 miles from Woodstock, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.15 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 34.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.2 miles (Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Woodstock, AL and Birmingham, AL, road signs point toward 17Th Street North and Downtown.
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