Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
46.9 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Thorsby, AL
Wolfgang Weiser
This quick 46.9-mile drive from Birmingham to Thorsby, Alabama, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just under an hour to complete. You'll spend most of your time on I-65, making it a highway-focused journey through the Southeast region. With a modest fuel cost estimate of $7, this route is an economical option for a short excursion. Given its brief duration and straightforward path, no overnight stays are necessary, offering you flexibility in your schedule. It's a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Alabama locations.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 28.1 mi | 32m |
| US 31 | 16.6 mi | 23m |
| 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 |
| Concordia Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Thorsby, AL.
Start on 24th Street North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 31
Turn right onto Concordia Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from Birmingham, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 30.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 31, AL 3: Saginaw, Calera, Montevallo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$7.08 one way
$14.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $7.78 | $15.55 |
| premium | $4.56 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.35 | $20.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.92 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.57 | $3.00 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Thorsby on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 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.
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 46.9-mile route, with 95% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-65. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.1 miles on I-65, allowing for a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, you will briefly use local roads like 1st Avenue North at the beginning of your trip. This drive offers a direct and functional path, largely characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 31. 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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Thorsby, AL is easy. At 59m with 95% 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Birmingham, AL and Thorsby, AL, road signs point toward Calera and Montevallo.
Calera
Montevallo
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.
Founded 1901
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 46.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
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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