Origin
Abbeville, AL
Late night in Abbeville on Tuesday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
186.7 mi
300 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Abbeville, AL
Milan
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Abbeville to Birmingham is 186.7 miles and takes about 3h 53m via I 65 and US 231, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, traversing the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it an efficient option for getting between these two points. The route is well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. If you're looking for a direct path with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill.
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
93.3 miles from Abbeville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 88.1 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 231 | 52.5 mi | 1h 5m |
| West Washington Street | 24 mi | 35m |
| Brundidge Street | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| I 85 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| McGehee Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Zelda Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Carter Hill Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Abbeville, AL and Birmingham, AL.
Start on AL 10
Continue on AL 10
Continue on AL 10
Continue on AL 10
Turn right onto US 231
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231
Continue on US 231
Continue on McGehee Road
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
Continue on Zelda Road
Turn right onto Ann Street
Turn left
Merge onto I 85
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 65; US 82
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
Turn left onto 19th Street North
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Turn right onto 24th Street North
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. You'll want to plan for at least one stop, especially since the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 88 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway driving can consume fuel steadily; the estimated cost is around $28. Ensure you have enough gas before embarking on the 88.1-mile segment on I 65 to avoid needing to exit prematurely.
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.
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 41 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.3 miles or 2h 7m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Birmingham, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Abbeville, 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 Abbeville, AL
This is one driving day of about 186.7 miles and 3h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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.
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 93.3 miles from Abbeville, 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 88.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 37.7 and 97.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 231 toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left toward Ann Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 65; US 82
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$28.20 one way
$56.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $30.95 | $61.91 |
| premium | $4.56 | $33.51 | $67.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.22 | $82.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56 | 0 | $19.60 | $8.96 |
| Efficient EV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.34 | $7.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.7 | 0 | $26.14 | $11.95 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Abbeville on Tuesday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Birmingham on Tuesday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 77% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a 77% highway share, which means stretches of consistent speed are common. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.1 miles on I 65. While the route begins on local roads like West Washington Street, it quickly transitions to faster-paced driving on US 231 and then I 65. Expect a driving experience characterized by steady progress on well-maintained highways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 37.7 miles in near US 231.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 37.7 miles (US 231): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 94.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Abbeville, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.
Ann Street South
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama, and its cultural and economic nucleus. While it's best remembered as the site of protest, bombings, and other racial tumult during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, visitors to the Birmingham of today will find a pleasant green city of ridges, valleys, attractive views, and friendly, hospitable people.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 186.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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