If you are planning a quick excursion across Alabama, the drive from Birmingham to Guin is a straightforward 82.2-mile journey. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain within the same geographic area throughout your travel. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing speed and directness over leisure. It serves as a practical connection for those looking to traverse the state without unnecessary delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.1 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 22
69 mi
1h 13m
AL 44
4.3 mi
6m
I 65
3.8 mi
5m
State Highway 44
1.7 mi
2m
6th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
US 43
0.3 mi
<1m
24th Street North
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 22
— 69 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Guin, 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
3.8 mi·5 min·I 65
Use the slight left / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 265AToward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 22
69 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 22
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26Toward AL 44: Brilliant, Guin
8
Turn left onto AL 44
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 44
9
Turn right onto AL 44
4.3 mi·6 min·AL 44
10
Take the ramp
208 ft·6 sec
11
Merge onto US 43; AL 118; AL 171
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 43; AL 118; AL 171
12
Arrive at destination
US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short at under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any major stops, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Birmingham is a smart move. Since the longest stretch spans 69 miles on I-22, ensure your vehicle is ready for a continuous highway run before you merge onto the interstate. Given the lack of required stops, consider this a direct transit route where you can easily reach Guin in a single push. Aim to avoid peak traffic hours in Birmingham to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 33 minute travel time without frustration.
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 41.1 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 46m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Guin, 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 82.2 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Birmingham, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 22 for about 69 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 0.1 and 75.5 — 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.
4
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 65 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 65 North
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 / slight right lanes.
7
5.3 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265A
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
6
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward AL 44: Brilliant, Guin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 26
Toward AL 44: Brilliant, Guin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.41 one way
$24.83 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$13.63
$27.26
premium
$4.56
$14.75
$29.51
diesel
$5.61
$18.15
$36.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.7
0
$8.63
$3.95
Efficient EV
20.6
0
$7.19
$3.29
EV Truck/SUV
32.9
0
$11.51
$5.26
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
4:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Guin, AL
Late night
in Guin on Tuesday
Local time
4:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Jasper, AL
41 mi in
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 96% of the route taking place on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-22, which accounts for a significant 69-mile stretch of your journey. While you start by utilizing I-65 and eventually transition to AL-44 to reach your destination, the experience remains dominated by the interstate environment. Expect a consistent, fast-paced drive that minimizes technical maneuvering. Because the route is so highway-dependent, you can anticipate a steady rhythm behind the wheel rather than a winding or changing terrain.
96% 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: 69 mi on I 22.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and AL 44. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 6th Avenue North.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 33m 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 0.1 miles (6th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
The longest stretch is about 69 miles on I 22. 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 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Guin, AL before heading back.
