Birmingham, AL to Foley, AL is 265.5 miles and takes about 5h 6m via I 65 and US 90, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. Given that it's a single-day drive, it's a straightforward route for a quick getaway. The majority of the drive is on the interstate, making it a relatively efficient option for reaching the coast.
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
132.7 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
221.4 mi
4h
Gulf Shores Parkway
17.4 mi
22m
US 90
14.6 mi
23m
Bay Minette Bypass
5.5 mi
9m
Rabun Road
4.3 mi
6m
1st Avenue North
1.4 mi
2m
24th Street North
0.3 mi
<1m
9th Street North
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 221.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 33 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~899 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,411
Quietest
1 AM
~125 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
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 Foley, 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
221 mi·4 hr·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 37Toward SR 287: Gulf Shores, Parkway, Bay Minette, Rabun
8
Turn left onto AL 287
4.3 mi·6 min·Rabun Road
9
Continue on AL 59
5.5 mi·9 min·Bay Minette Bypass
10
Continue on US 31; AL 59
17 mi·22 min·Gulf Shores Parkway
11
Continue on US 90; AL 59
15 mi·23 min·US 90; AL 59
12
Turn left onto US 98
67 ft·1 sec·East Laurel Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
US 98
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive with time to settle in. You only have one recommended stop, so consider planning it around the 221.4-mile mark on I 65 if you need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $42, and it's wise to fill up before heading onto the more rural sections. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but be aware of potential traffic closer to Foley.
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 132.7 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.4 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 58 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.7 miles or 2h 25m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Foley, 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 265.5 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 221.4 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 223.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
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.
6
223.4 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward SR 287: Gulf Shores, Parkway, Bay Minette, Rabun
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 37
Toward SR 287: Gulf Shores, Parkway, Bay Minett...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.86 one way
$73.71 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$41.24
$82.47
premium
$4.29
$44.83
$89.66
diesel
$4.80
$50.13
$100.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.88
$12.74
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.23
$10.62
EV Truck/SUV
106.2
1
$37.17
$16.99
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Foley, AL
Late night
in Foley on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph3% 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
4 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 6m 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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 95% of the 265.5 miles on major roads like I 65. You'll experience a long stretch of 221.4 miles on I 65 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic for much of the trip. The final segment will involve navigating US 90 and Gulf Shores Parkway.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.4 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Gulf Shores Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 6m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
629 ft80 ft
Total Climb
523 ft
Total Descent
1,052 ft
Highest Point
629 ft
~37.9 mi in
Elevation Range
549 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Birmingham, AL and Foley, AL, road signs point toward Bay Minette and Rabun.
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
The longest stretch is about 221.4 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point.
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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Foley, AL before the return drive.
