This 194.8-mile drive from Birmingham, AL to Opp, AL is a straightforward journey through Alabama's Southeast region, taking approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. The majority of your travel will be on interstates, making it a predominantly highway-focused experience. You'll spend about 88% of your time on major highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 145.1 miles on I-65. This route offers a practical and efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97.4 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
145.1 mi
2h 38m
Crum Foshee Highway
17.9 mi
20m
Martin Luther King Junior Expressway
12.7 mi
15m
AL 106
9.4 mi
11m
US 84
3.8 mi
6m
1st Avenue North
1.4 mi
2m
West Cummings Avenue
1 mi
1m
24th Street North
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 145.1 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Opp, 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
145 mi·2 hr 38 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
8
Turn left onto AL 106; AL 55
9.4 mi·11 min·AL 106; AL 55
9
Continue on AL 55
18 mi·20 min·Crum Foshee Highway
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; AL 55
3.8 mi·6 min·US 84; AL 55
11
Turn left onto US 29; US 84
13 mi·15 min·Martin Luther King Junior Expressway
12
Turn left
2.3 mi·3 min
13
Continue on West Cummings Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·West Cummings Avenue
14
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Main Street
15
Turn right onto West Hart Avenue
80 ft·3 sec·West Hart Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
West Hart Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 42-minute duration, this trip is best suited for a single day. Aim to depart Birmingham in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive in Opp with ample time. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, especially during the 145.1-mile stretch on I-65, to ensure you stay comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $29, and gas stations might be less frequent on certain highway segments.
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 97.4 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.1 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 43 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.4 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Opp, 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 194.8 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 145.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 147.2 — 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.
5
147.2 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.42 one way
$58.84 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$32.30
$64.59
premium
$4.56
$34.96
$69.93
diesel
$5.61
$43.01
$86.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.4
0
$20.45
$9.35
Efficient EV
48.7
0
$17.04
$7.79
EV Truck/SUV
77.9
0
$27.27
$12.47
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Opp, AL
Late night
in Opp on Tuesday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
1 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
3h 42m 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?
Expect a drive that is heavily oriented towards the highway, with 88% of the 194.8 miles on major roads. You'll experience a significant portion of this trip on I-65, including a continuous stretch of 145.1 miles. This means a good amount of consistent speed and limited distractions for much of the journey. The use of Crum Foshee Highway and Martin Luther King Junior Expressway indicates transitions onto more local or urban arteries as you approach your destination, but the overall feel remains highway-focused.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.1 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Crum Foshee Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Opp, AL is easy. At 3h 42m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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.
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 Opp, AL, road signs point toward 55: Georgiana and Starlington.
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 145.1 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Opp, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
