Origin
Birmingham, AL
Late night in Birmingham on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Birmingham, AL to Cedar Bluff, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
91.3 mi
147 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Cedar Bluff, AL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 91.3-mile journey from Birmingham, Alabama, to Cedar Bluff, Alabama, a trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. This route is comfortably manageable as a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll be spending about 64% of your drive on highways, making for an efficient travel experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $14, this drive is quite budget-friendly. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your travels. This is a practical option for those seeking a direct and uncomplicated drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.6 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 51.7 mi | 55m |
| Ewing Avenue | 20.3 mi | 23m |
| I 759 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| Cedar Bluff Road | 3 mi | 3m |
| Messer Airport Highway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| State Route 9 | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| South Albert Rains Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Clarence E Chestnut Jr Bypass | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 51.7 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Cedar Bluff, AL.
1
Start on 24th Street North
46 ft
·
3 sec
·
24th Street North
2
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
188 ft
·
3 sec
·
5th Avenue North
3
Keep slight left at fork onto 5th Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
5th Avenue North
4
Continue on Messer Airport Highway
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Messer Airport Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Gadsden, Atlanta
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 20; I 59
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 20; I 59
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 182
Toward I 759: Gadsden
9
Continue on I 759
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 759
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 4B
Toward US 411 North
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 411
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Rainbow Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 411
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Albert Rains Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 411
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Ewing Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 411; AL 68
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Clarence E Chestnut Jr Bypass
15
Turn left onto AL 68
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Cedar Bluff Road
16
Continue on AL 9; AL 68
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 9
17
Turn left onto AL 68
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Weiss Lake Drive
18
Turn left onto Old Hwy 9
44 ft
·
1 sec
·
Old Hwy 9
19
Arrive at destination
Old Hwy 9
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes, this drive offers considerable flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your day at your destination. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep in mind the longest stretch without a major change in road is 51.7 miles on I-59, so plan for a brief pause before or after this segment if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $14, so ensure you have adequate fuel before leaving Birmingham. Watching for the transition from I-759 back to I-59 will be a key point to stay on course.
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 45.6 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.7 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.6 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Bluff, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Birmingham, AL
This is one driving day of about 91.3 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Birmingham, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 51.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.6 miles from Birmingham, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 91.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Gadsden, Atlanta
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Gadsden, Atlanta
7
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
5
55.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 759: Gadsden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 182
Toward I 759: Gadsden
7
60.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 411 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4B
Toward US 411 North
5
91.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
Old Hwy 9
Turn left onto Old Hwy 9
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.79 one way
$27.58 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $15.14 | $30.27 |
| premium | $4.56 | $16.39 | $32.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.16 | $40.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.59 | $4.38 |
| Efficient EV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.99 | $3.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.5 | 0 | $12.78 | $5.84 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Cedar Bluff, AL
Late night in Cedar Bluff on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
3 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
1h 45m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with Interstate 59 and Interstate 759 forming the backbone of your journey for a significant portion. Expect about 64% of your travel to be on these faster-paced roads. You'll encounter one long stretch of uninterrupted driving for 51.7 miles on I-59, allowing for a steady pace. While the majority of the route sticks to major interstates, transitions onto local roads like Ewing Avenue will occur, offering a slight change in scenery and speed before rejoining the interstate system. The overall character is efficient and direct.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.7 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and Ewing Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.3 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 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 1h 45m. Total distance: 91.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.7 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cedar Bluff, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Bluff, AL before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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