Birmingham, AL to Loxley, AL is 249.5 miles and takes about 4h 41m via I 65, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily on interstate highways. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal complexity, making it an easy one-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on I 65, so it's a good option if you prefer consistent driving conditions. The route is entirely within Alabama, offering a convenient drive for those in the state.
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
124.7 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
221.4 mi
4h
Gulf Shores Parkway
16 mi
20m
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
3rd Avenue 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 Loxley, 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
16 mi·20 min·Gulf Shores Parkway
11
Arrive at destination
US 90; AL 59
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 41m duration, starting your drive in Birmingham in the morning will get you to Loxley with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and 95% highway driving, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so ensure your tank is full before departing Birmingham. Pay attention to the transition off I 65 onto Gulf Shores Parkway and Bay Minette Bypass as you near your destination.
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 124.7 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 2h 17m 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.7 miles or 2h 17m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Loxley, 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 249.5 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 7
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
$34.64 one way
$69.27 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$38.75
$77.50
premium
$4.29
$42.13
$84.26
diesel
$4.80
$47.11
$94.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.20
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.83
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.93
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 10 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Loxley, AL
Late night
in Loxley on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 to 10 mph32% 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
1 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
4h 41m 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 95% highway, meaning you'll be on interstates for the vast majority of the trip. The longest stretch without a major road change is 221.4 miles on I 65. You'll experience the dense exit environment of I 65 for most of the journey. The final leg will transition to surface roads like Gulf Shores Parkway and Bay Minette Bypass as you approach Loxley.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 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 4h 41m drive. You will face about 7 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
609 ft150 ft
Total Climb
546 ft
Total Descent
983 ft
Highest Point
609 ft
Elevation Range
459 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 Loxley, 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Loxley, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
