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Trip from Abbeville, AL to Birmingham, AL

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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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 40m ★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Abbeville, AL, AL

Abbeville, AL

Milan

city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

Birmingham, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 65 — 88.1 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Abbeville, AL and Birmingham, AL.

1

Start on AL 10

24 mi · 35 min · West Washington Street
2

Continue on AL 10

13 mi · 19 min · Brundidge Street
3

Continue on AL 10

0.3 mi · 27 sec · South A Graham Boulevard
4

Continue on AL 10

0.6 mi · 55 sec · South A. Graham Boulevard
5

Turn right onto US 231

0.5 mi · 39 sec · US 231
Toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
6

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.4 mi · 35 sec · US 231; AL 10
7

Continue on US 231; AL 10

5.1 mi · 6 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
8

Continue on US 231; AL 10

2.1 mi · 3 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
9

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.5 mi · 55 sec · US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 231; AL 10
12

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.2 mi · 14 sec · US 231; AL 10
13

Continue on US 231; AL 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on US 231; AL 10

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 231; AL 10
15

Continue on US 231

3.4 mi · 3 min · US 231
16

Continue on US 231

36 mi · 42 min · US 231
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on McGehee Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · McGehee Road
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn right onto Carter Hill Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Carter Hill Road
19

Continue on Zelda Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
20

Turn right onto Ann Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Ann Street
21

Turn left

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 3 Toward Ann Street South Use the left lane.
22

Merge onto I 85

2.5 mi · 3 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
24

Merge onto I 65; US 82

88 mi · 1 hr 36 min · I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 260B Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
26

Turn right onto US 11; US 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Turn left onto 19th Street North

0.1 mi · 17 sec · 19th Street North
28

Turn right onto 5th Avenue North

0.5 mi · 50 sec · 5th Avenue North
29

Turn right onto 24th Street North

46 ft · 1 sec · 24th Street North
30

Arrive at destination

24th Street North

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93.3 miles from Abbeville, AL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Abbeville, 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 88.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Montgomery, AL

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Brundidge, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Montgomery, AL

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

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.

5
37.7 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 231

Turn right onto US 231 toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
8
93.9 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Turn left toward Ann Street South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Exit 3 Toward Ann Street South
5
94.2 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | I 85

Merge onto I 85

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
96.7 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
97.1 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | I 65; US 82

Merge onto I 65; US 82

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.20 one way

$56.39 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Abbeville, AL

Late night in Abbeville on Tuesday

Local time

5:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Birmingham, AL

Late night in Birmingham on Tuesday

Local time

5:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°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

25 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

3h 53m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 186.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.1 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

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.

Driving Effort 6/10

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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

93.9 mi in | ~2h 9m

About the Cities

Arriving in Birmingham, AL

Full guide →

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).

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 88.1 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Birmingham, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Birmingham, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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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