This 111.6-mile drive from Birmingham, AL to Demopolis, AL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-20 before transitioning to local roads like Demopolis Highway and US-11. With a projected fuel cost of around $17, this journey through the Southeast region of Alabama offers a straightforward travel experience. It's a practical option if you're looking for a relatively short, direct route without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.8 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79 mi
1h 25m
Demopolis Highway
24 mi
34m
US 11
4.6 mi
6m
M L King Highway
1.3 mi
3m
6th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
I 65
0.3 mi
<1m
Greensboro Street
0.3 mi
<1m
1st Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Demopolis, 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
371 ft·6 sec·East Capitol Street
14
Turn right onto North Strawberry Avenue
281 ft·12 sec·North Strawberry Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
North Strawberry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 2-hour drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Birmingham in the morning will get you to Demopolis with plenty of daylight. Plan for one or two brief stops for fuel or a quick break, especially considering the longest stretch without exiting is 79 miles on I-20. The fuel cost is estimated at $17, so you won't need to worry about excessive spending on gas. Keep an eye out for the transition points from I-20 to the local highways as you near Demopolis.
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 55.8 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 1h 1m 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 25 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 1m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Demopolis, 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 111.6 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Birmingham, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 12
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
$16.85 one way
$33.71 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.50
$37.00
premium
$4.56
$20.03
$40.06
diesel
$5.61
$24.64
$49.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
Efficient EV
27.9
0
$9.76
$4.46
EV Truck/SUV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Birmingham, AL
Morning
in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
11:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Demopolis, AL
Morning
in Demopolis on Sunday
Local time
11:40 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
8 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
2h 14m 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
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 highway-focused drive for about 75% of this trip. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-20, which provides a consistent pace for the longest stretch of 79 miles. As you move away from the interstate, the character shifts to more of a local road feel on Demopolis Highway and US-11. While not a particularly winding or technically challenging route, the transition from high-speed interstate to surface streets marks the progression of your journey.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Demopolis Highway. You will hit about 12 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 Effort6/10
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 111.6 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 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.
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 Demopolis, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 111.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). 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.
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 Demopolis, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Demopolis, AL before heading back.
