This 85.5-mile drive from Coosada, AL to Birmingham, AL is a straightforward trip, estimated to take just about 1 hour and 41 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, it's an economical journey through the Southeast. The route predominantly follows major highways, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on I-65, offering a consistent pace for your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.8 miles from Coosada, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
78 mi
1h 24m
Coosada Road
2.3 mi
5m
County Road 10
1.6 mi
3m
AL 14
0.8 mi
1m
3rd Avenue North
0.7 mi
1m
Grandview Road
0.5 mi
1m
5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
<1m
County Road 8
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 78 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coosada, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Coosada Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Coosada Road
2
Continue on Edgewood Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Edgewood Road
3
Turn slight right onto Grandview Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Grandview Road
4
Continue on County Road 10
1.6 mi·3 min·County Road 10
5
Continue on County Road 8
0.3 mi·43 sec·County Road 8
6
Turn left onto AL 14
0.8 mi·1 min·AL 14
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
8
Merge onto I 65
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 260BToward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
10
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto 19th Street North
0.1 mi·17 sec·19th Street North
12
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi·50 sec·5th Avenue North
13
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft·1 sec·24th Street North
14
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 41-minute duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving in the morning will help you avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Birmingham. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, keeping in mind the longest stretch without a change in road type is 78 miles on I-65. It's wise to fill up your tank before leaving Coosada to ensure a smooth journey.
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 42.8 miles from Coosada, AL, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 19 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 53m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Birmingham, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Coosada, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Coosada, AL
This is one driving day of about 85.5 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Coosada, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 78 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 5 and 85 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
5 mi into trip|~12m in|AL 14
Turn left onto AL 14
Navigation decision point
5
6 mi into trip|~13m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
84 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
5
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
85 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|5th Avenue North
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.91 one way
$25.83 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$14.17
$28.35
premium
$4.56
$15.35
$30.69
diesel
$5.61
$18.88
$37.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.7
0
$8.98
$4.10
Efficient EV
21.4
0
$7.48
$3.42
EV Truck/SUV
34.2
0
$11.97
$5.47
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Coosada, AL
Evening
in Coosada on Sunday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Evening
in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
1h 41m 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 highway-focused drive for 92% of this journey. The majority of your travel will be on I-65, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 78 miles. While primarily interstate, the initial and final segments involve local roads like Coosada Road and County Road 10, offering a brief change of pace before merging onto the main highway. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Coosada Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in near AL 14.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Coosada, AL to Birmingham, AL is easy. At 1h 41m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5 miles (AL 14): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 78 miles on I 65. 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 5 miles (AL 14): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Birmingham, AL before heading back.
