Traveling from Enterprise to Birmingham covers approximately 173.7 miles, typically taking about 3 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively straightforward journey, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $27 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a regional trek across Alabama. The route transitions you from the Southeast region of the state into the heart of Birmingham. Whether you are traveling for business or a weekend getaway, the drive is efficient and keeps you moving steadily toward your destination.
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
86.8 miles from Enterprise, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
88.1 mi
1h 36m
US 231
43.2 mi
52m
Neil Metcalf Road
22.8 mi
34m
AL 167
7.6 mi
11m
I 85
2.5 mi
3m
Neal Metcalf Road
1.9 mi
2m
McGehee Road
1.5 mi
2m
North Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 88.1 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Enterprise, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on West Lee Street
153 ft·14 sec·West Lee Street
2
Turn left onto AL 88; AL 134
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi·36 sec·Boll Weevil Circle
4
Turn left onto AL 167
1.9 mi·2 min·Neal Metcalf Road
5
Continue on AL 167
23 mi·34 min·Neil Metcalf Road
6
Turn slight left onto AL 167
7.6 mi·11 min·AL 167
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 231; AL 10
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi·2 min·US 231; AL 10
11
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi·3 min·US 231
12
Continue on US 231
36 mi·42 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Carter Hill Road
15
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
16
Turn right onto Ann Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Ann Street
17
Turn left
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann Street SouthUse the left lane.
18
Merge onto I 85
2.5 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
20
Merge onto I 65; US 82
88 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 260BToward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
22
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto 19th Street North
0.1 mi·17 sec·19th Street North
24
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi·50 sec·5th Avenue North
25
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft·1 sec·24th Street North
26
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the monotony of the 173.7-mile drive, especially during the long I-65 segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate to ensure you aren't paying premium prices at busy highway service stations. If you want to avoid peak congestion, try to time your arrival in Birmingham to miss local rush-hour traffic. Given the highway-heavy nature of this route, maintain a steady pace and utilize cruise control to maximize your fuel efficiency throughout the journey.
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 86.8 miles from Enterprise, AL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 38 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.8 miles or 1h 58m 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 59m
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 Enterprise, 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 Enterprise, AL
This is one driving day of about 173.7 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Enterprise, 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 88.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 80.9 and 172.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
80.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Turn left toward Ann Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street South
5
81.2 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m 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
172.2 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
$26.23 one way
$52.47 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.80
$57.59
premium
$4.56
$31.18
$62.35
diesel
$5.61
$38.35
$76.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
Efficient EV
43.4
0
$15.20
$6.95
EV Truck/SUV
69.5
0
$24.32
$11.12
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 16, 2026
Origin
Enterprise, AL
Night
in Enterprise on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Night
in Birmingham on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
8 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 34m 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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 173.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 81% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of Neil Metcalf Road, US 231, and the primary artery of I-65 to reach your goal. The most significant portion of the journey is an 88.1-mile stretch on I-65, which allows for consistent speeds once you merge onto the interstate. Expect a personality shift from smaller local roads to the high-capacity flow of the interstate, offering a predictable and direct experience for the driver. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.1 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 80.9 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 80.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
885 ft169 ft
Total Climb
1,275 ft
Total Descent
1,017 ft
Highest Point
885 ft
~166.4 mi in
Elevation Range
716 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 Enterprise, AL to Birmingham, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.
Ann Street South
80.9 mi in|~1h 50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 173.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.1 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 80.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Birmingham, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
