Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
13m
Distance
6.7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Fultondale, AL
Tomás Asurmendi
This short 6.7-mile drive from Birmingham, AL to Fultondale, AL takes about 13 minutes and is a perfect addition to any Southeast regional trip. With no highway driving, expect a local feel throughout. The estimated fuel cost is a mere $1, making it incredibly budget-friendly. Since it's such a brief journey, it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. This route offers a straightforward connection within Alabama, ideal for a quick hop between two nearby points.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur Highway | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Carraway Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| 25th Street North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Whaley Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 5th Court North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Fultondale, AL.
Start on 24th Street North
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Keep slight left at fork onto 5th Avenue North
Turn slight left onto 5th Court North
Continue on 25th Street North
Turn right onto Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North
Turn left onto US 31
Continue on US 31
Turn right onto Whaley Road
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 6.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto 5th Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 31 / Carraway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Whaley Road
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$1.01 one way
$2.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $1.11 | $2.22 |
| premium | $4.56 | $1.20 | $2.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.48 | $2.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$1
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2 | 0 | $0.70 | $0.32 |
| Efficient EV | 1.7 | 0 | $0.59 | $0.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.94 | $0.43 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Birmingham on Tuesday
Local time
8:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Fultondale on Tuesday
Local time
8:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with a 0% highway share. You'll navigate primarily using Decatur Highway, Carraway Boulevard, and 25th Street North. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 3.5 miles on Decatur Highway. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you traverse these local roads, which will likely involve navigating various intersections and city streets.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Avenue North.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 13m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; near the start (5th Avenue North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.6 miles (Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North): Navigation decision point.
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 13m. Total distance: 6.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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