If you are planning a trip from Birmingham to Center Point, be prepared for a journey that covers 182 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes. While the distance might suggest a quick jaunt, the turn-heavy nature of these local roads makes this a full day commitment. You should budget about $28 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the drive is contained within the Southeast, you will remain in a familiar regional climate throughout. It functions perfectly as a one-day excursion, so there is no need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Approach this route as a patient navigator, as the winding path requires more focus than a simple interstate cruise.
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
91 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79 mi
1h 25m
AL 69
49.2 mi
1h 13m
Demopolis Highway
24 mi
34m
US 43
17.2 mi
19m
US 11
4.6 mi
6m
AL 154
3.1 mi
5m
M L King Highway
1.3 mi
3m
6th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,731 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~275 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
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 Center Point, AL.
1
Start on 24th Street North
523 ft·19 sec·24th Street North
2
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
1.2 mi·2 min·6th Avenue North
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 65 North
4
Merge onto I 65
0.3 mi·30 sec·I 65
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 261CToward I 20 West, I 59 South: TuscaloosaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20; I 59
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward UnionUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto CR 208
1.3 mi·3 min·M L King Highway
9
Merge onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·US 11; US 43
10
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
11
Merge onto US 43; AL 14
0.3 mi·33 sec·Greensboro Street
12
Turn slight right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·Demopolis Highway
13
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
14
Turn right onto US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·North Cedar Avenue
15
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
1.0 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
16
Turn right onto US 43
16 mi·18 min·US 43
17
Turn right onto AL 69
49 mi·1 hr 13 min·AL 69
18
Turn left onto AL 154
3.1 mi·5 min·AL 154
19
Arrive at destination
AL 154
Trip Plan
Since this 182-mile route requires nearly four hours of driving, try to hit the road early to maximize your daylight hours. You only need to plan for one scheduled stop to break up the drive, which provides a perfect opportunity to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your navigation when switching between 6th Avenue North and the interstate segments, as the turn-heavy layout can be tricky for first-timers. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; because it is a relatively short trip, you can easily adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort. Make sure your fuel tank is ready for the $28 estimated cost before you pull out of Birmingham to ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival in Center Point.
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 91 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79 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 40 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91 miles or 1h 45m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Center Point, 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 182 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 20 for about 79 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 81 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|6th Avenue North
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
81 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Union
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Union
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.97 one way
$55.95 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$30.94
$61.88
premium
$4.65
$33.30
$66.59
diesel
$5.35
$38.33
$76.67
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: 63.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.6
0
$19.11
$8.74
Efficient EV
45.5
0
$15.93
$7.28
EV Truck/SUV
72.8
0
$25.48
$11.65
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Birmingham, AL
Afternoon
in Birmingham on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 4:19AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 3:13AM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Center Point, AL
Afternoon
in Center Point on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 4:19AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 3:13AM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
5 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
3h 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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?
Expect a departure from the typical interstate grind, as this route relies on 6th Avenue North, I-65 North, and I-20 West to weave you toward your destination. With a 0% highway share, this is strictly a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed freeway sprint. You will find that the road demands your full attention, as the technical nature of the local turns keeps you actively engaged behind the wheel. The absence of long, uninterrupted highway stretches means the pace remains steady and deliberate. Transitioning between these specific roads requires constant awareness of your surroundings as you navigate the local infrastructure.
84% 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: 79 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and AL 69. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 6th 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 182 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.1 miles (6th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
609 ft127 ft
Total Climb
517 ft
Total Descent
857 ft
Highest Point
609 ft
Elevation Range
482 ft
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 Birmingham, AL to Center Point, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.
Union
81 mi in|~1h 29m
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 3h 54m. Total distance: 182 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (6th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Center Point, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
