Cottonwood, AL to Birmingham, AL is 208.8 miles and takes about 4h 18m via US 231 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Alabama for its entirety, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward drive that should feel familiar to most drivers, making it a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without too many complications. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits.
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
104.4 miles from Cottonwood, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
89.1 mi
1h 51m
I 65
88.1 mi
1h 36m
Cottonwood Road
11.5 mi
17m
Ross Clark Circle
6.5 mi
10m
Montgomery Highway
5.2 mi
8m
I 85
2.5 mi
3m
McGehee Road
1.5 mi
2m
Zelda Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 89.1 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,278 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~358 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.9×
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 Cottonwood, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Sealy Wells Road
280 ft·9 sec·Sealy Wells Road
2
Turn straight onto AL 53
0.4 mi·1 min·Cottonwood Road
3
Keep slight left at fork onto AL 53
11 mi·16 min·Cottonwood Road
4
Turn left onto US 431; AL 210; AL 52 Truck
6.5 mi·10 min·Ross Clark Circle
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto US 231
5.2 mi·8 min·Montgomery Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 231
0.6 mi·39 sec·US 231
7
Continue on US 231
16 mi·20 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 231
21 mi·24 min·US 231
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 231; AL 10
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
5.1 mi·6 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.1 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.5 mi·55 sec·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.7 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
15
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 231; AL 10
16
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi·2 min·US 231; AL 10
18
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi·3 min·US 231
19
Continue on US 231
36 mi·42 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Carter Hill Road
22
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
23
Turn right onto Ann Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Ann Street
24
Turn left
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann Street SouthUse the left lane.
25
Merge onto I 85
2.5 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
27
Merge onto I 65; US 82
88 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 260BToward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
29
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto 19th Street North
0.1 mi·17 sec·19th Street North
31
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi·50 sec·5th Avenue North
32
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft·1 sec·24th Street North
33
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 18m drive time, leaving Cottonwood in the morning allows ample time to reach Birmingham before evening. With only one recommended stop and an estimated fuel cost of $33, this trip is budget-friendly. The longest stretch of driving without a major change in road type is 89.1 miles on US 231, so be sure to have entertainment or a good playlist ready for that segment. Consider fueling up before you leave Cottonwood or shortly after starting, as services can be more spread out in the earlier parts of US 231. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you get closer to Birmingham, where traffic and exit density will increase.
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 104.4 miles from Cottonwood, AL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.1 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 46 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.4 miles or 2h 18m 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 36m
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 Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AL
This is one driving day of about 208.8 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Cottonwood, 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 US 231 for about 89.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 116.1 and 207.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
116.1 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Turn left toward Ann Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street South
5
116.3 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|I 65; US 82
Merge onto I 65; US 82
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
207.3 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.99 one way
$57.97 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$32.43
$64.86
premium
$4.29
$35.26
$70.52
diesel
$4.80
$39.43
$78.85
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: 73.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.92
$10.02
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.27
$8.35
EV Truck/SUV
83.5
1
$29.23
$13.36
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Cottonwood, AL
Morning
in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:08PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:07PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Morning
in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:08PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:07PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
2 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 18m 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
near mile 208.8
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 route is primarily highway driving, with 86% of the 208.8 miles on major roads like US 231 and I-65. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 89.1 miles on US 231. The transition to more local roads will happen as you approach your destination in Birmingham, likely marked by an increase in exits and slower traffic. Expect a relatively smooth ride for most of the trip, with the majority of your time spent cruising on limited-access highways.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.1 mi on US 231.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 231 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 116.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 208.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 116.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 116.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
640 ft168 ft
Total Climb
986 ft
Total Descent
544 ft
Highest Point
640 ft
~164.1 mi in
Elevation Range
472 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cottonwood, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 208.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.1 miles on US 231. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Birmingham, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 116.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 116.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Birmingham, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
