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
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,661 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,049
Quietest
1 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 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
$39.15 one way
$78.29 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$43.80
$87.60
premium
$4.29
$47.62
$95.24
diesel
$4.80
$53.25
$106.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
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, 2026-07-13.
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
$24.68
$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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Birmingham, AL
Late night
in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bayou La Batre, AL
Late night
in Bayou La Batre on Sunday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 mph5% chanceLive 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
3 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort5/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
609 ft6 ft
Total Climb
505 ft
Total Descent
1,108 ft
Highest Point
609 ft
Elevation Range
603 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Top landmarks
•Birmingham Museum of Art — art museum in Birmingham, Alabama, USA
•Cathedral of Saint Paul — church in Alabama, United States
•16th Street Baptist Church — church in Birmingham, Alabama
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.
Yes — we found about 21 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
