If you are looking to travel from Birmingham to Eutaw, expect a straightforward 88.9-mile journey through the Southeast. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 39 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-20, which keeps the travel time efficient and predictable. Budgeting around $14 for fuel should cover your expenses for this direct trip. Since the entire route remains within Alabama, the transition is seamless and lacks the complexity of crossing regional borders. It is an ideal route for those prioritizing speed and simplicity over a scenic, winding backroad experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.5 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
83.6 mi
1h 30m
AL 14
2.8 mi
4m
6th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
I 65
0.3 mi
<1m
Tuscaloosa Street
0.1 mi
<1m
24th Street North
<0.1 mi
<1m
Wilson Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Springfield Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 83.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Eutaw, 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
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward AL 14: Eutaw, AlicevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto AL 14
2.8 mi·4 min·AL 14
9
Turn right onto AL 14
315 ft·12 sec·Wilson Avenue
10
Turn left onto Tuscaloosa Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Tuscaloosa Street
11
Turn right onto US 11
136 ft·3 sec·Springfield Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though sticking to off-peak hours can help you avoid potential traffic on I-20. Because the drive is under two hours, you likely won't need to plan for lengthy stops, allowing you to reach Eutaw quickly. Keep in mind that the longest stretch of the drive is nearly 84 miles, so ensure your tank is ready for that sustained highway speed before you leave Birmingham. Having $14 set aside for gas will keep your logistics simple. Use the efficiency of the interstate to your advantage so you can maximize your time once you arrive at your destination.
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 44.5 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.5 miles or 49m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eutaw, 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 88.9 miles and 1h 39m.
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 20 for about 83.6 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 0.1 and 85.6 — 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.
7
85.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward AL 14: Eutaw, Aliceville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward AL 14: Eutaw, Aliceville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.43 one way
$26.85 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$14.74
$29.48
premium
$4.56
$15.96
$31.91
diesel
$5.61
$19.63
$39.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.7
0
$9.33
$4.27
Efficient EV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
EV Truck/SUV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Birmingham, AL
Late night
in Birmingham on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eutaw, AL
Late night
in Eutaw on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 39m 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?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You can settle in for a long, consistent stretch, as 83.6 miles of your drive will be spent navigating I-20. Once you exit the interstate, you will transition onto AL-14 and 6th Avenue North to reach your final destination. Because the route relies so heavily on major corridors, it feels more like a functional commute than a winding exploration. Expect a steady, uninterrupted pace behind the wheel for the duration of this transit.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.6 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 14. You will hit about 10 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 88.9 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 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.
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 1h 39m. Total distance: 88.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.6 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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 Eutaw, AL before heading back.
