Origin
Birmingham, AL
Night in Birmingham on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Birmingham, AL to Bayou La Batre, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
282 mi
454 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 3m
★
6 AM
5h 17m
8 AM
5h 43m
10 AM
5h 26m
12 PM
5h 23m
3 PM
5h 27m
5 PM
5h 42m
8 PM
5h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Bayou La Batre, AL
Alfo Medeiros
Trip Overview
This 282-mile journey from Birmingham, Alabama, to Bayou La Batre, Alabama, is a straightforward, single-day trip that will take about 5 hours and 16 minutes of driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Southeast. The route features a significant amount of local road driving, so expect a more engaging experience than a typical interstate cruise. It's designed as a day trip, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local Alabama landscape without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
141 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 258.8 mi | 4h 41m |
| I 10 | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| Padgett Switch Road | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| CR 39 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Wintzell Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| 1st Avenue North | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| McDonald Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 24th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 258.8 mi, about 4h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Bayou La Batre, AL.
1
Start on 24th Street North
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
24th Street North
2
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue North
3
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
9th Street North
4
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
439 ft
·
8 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
6
Merge onto I 65
259 mi
·
4 hr 41 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 10 West: Mississippi
8
Merge onto I 10
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 10
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Toward CR 39: Bayou La Batre, Dawes
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Toward CR 39 North: Dawes
11
Turn straight onto CR 39
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
McDonald Road
12
Continue on CR 39
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
McDonald Road
13
Continue on CR 39
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
CR 39
14
Continue on CR 39
459 ft
·
7 sec
·
McDonald Road
15
Continue on CR 39
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
CR 39
16
Continue on Padgett Switch Road
5.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Padgett Switch Road
17
Turn left onto AL 188
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Wintzell Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
AL 188
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 16-minute duration and its local road nature, starting your drive from Birmingham earlier in the day is advisable to maximize daylight for navigation and to avoid potential rush hour traffic. While this 282-mile route is manageable in one day, plan for at least one stop to break up the driving and refuel if necessary, keeping the $43 fuel cost in mind. Since it's a local road-heavy trip, pay close attention to speed limit changes and potential traffic signals within towns along the way. A good tip is to download offline maps, as cell service can be spotty on less-traveled local roads.
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 141 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.8 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 62 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bayou La Batre, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL
This is one driving day of about 282 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Birmingham, 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 258.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141 miles from Birmingham, 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 258.8 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 270.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Navigation decision point
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
5
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
260.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Mississippi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 West: Mississippi
6
270.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 39 North: Dawes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CR 39 North: Dawes
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.59 one way
$85.18 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $46.75 | $93.50 |
| premium | $4.56 | $50.62 | $101.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.26 | $124.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.61 | $13.54 |
| Efficient EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.8 | 1 | $39.48 | $18.05 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Bayou La Batre, AL
Night in Bayou La Batre on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
12 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
5h 16m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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
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 characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with 0% highway share. You'll be navigating through local streets for the entirety of the 282 miles, so be prepared for frequent turns and a less predictable pace. There isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, implying a continuous series of smaller road segments rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. This means you'll be constantly interacting with the local environment, making for a more dynamic driving experience.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 258.8 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 10. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 282 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting 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 5h 16m. Total distance: 282 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 258.8 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.
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 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (I 65): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bayou La Batre, AL before the return drive.
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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