This 205.4-mile journey from Florala, AL to Birmingham, AL is a straightforward drive, estimated to take just under 4 hours. It's easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a fuel cost estimated around $31. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within Alabama. You'll spend the majority of your time on major roadways, traversing through the heart of the Southeast region. This drive is ideal for those looking for a practical and relatively quick transit rather than an immersive scenic experience.
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
102.7 miles from Florala, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
145.2 mi
2h 38m
Lockala Avenue
21.7 mi
30m
AL 55
19.9 mi
23m
Mobile Road
9.3 mi
11m
River Falls Street
3.9 mi
6m
Western Bypass
2.7 mi
4m
3rd Avenue North
0.7 mi
1m
Lockhart Boulevard
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 145.2 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florala, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Wall Street
98 ft·11 sec·Wall Street
2
Turn sharp left onto US 331; SR 55
0.5 mi·52 sec·5th Avenue
3
Continue on AL 55
0.5 mi·44 sec·Lockhart Boulevard
4
Continue on AL 55
22 mi·30 min·Lockala Avenue
5
Turn left onto AL 55
1.9 mi·2 min·AL 55
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 29; AL 55
2.7 mi·4 min·Western Bypass
7
Continue on US 29; AL 55
469 ft·16 sec·River Falls Street
8
Continue on US 84; AL 55
3.8 mi·6 min·River Falls Street
9
Turn right onto AL 55
18 mi·20 min·AL 55
10
Continue on US 31; AL 55
9.3 mi·11 min·Mobile Road
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 65
145 mi·2 hr 38 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 260BToward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
14
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto 19th Street North
0.1 mi·17 sec·19th Street North
16
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi·50 sec·5th Avenue North
17
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft·1 sec·24th Street North
18
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 59-minute duration and 205.4-mile distance, this trip is best tackled in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Birmingham without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I 65, as services can be spaced out. A good tip for this route is to ensure your vehicle is fueled before you leave Florala to maximize your time on the road without unnecessary detours.
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 102.7 miles from Florala, AL, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.2 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 45 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 6m 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 17m
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 Florala, 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 Florala, AL
This is one driving day of about 205.4 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Florala, 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 145.2 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 203.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue
Turn sharp left onto US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
24.6 mi into trip|~35m in|US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass
At end of road, turn right onto US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass
Navigation decision point
5
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
58.8 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
203.9 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
$28.51 one way
$57.03 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$31.90
$63.80
premium
$4.29
$34.68
$69.37
diesel
$4.80
$38.78
$77.57
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: 71.9 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
61.6
0
$21.57
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.97
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.76
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 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
Florala, AL
Late night
in Florala on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:39PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 8:25PM CDT until July 18 at 9:15PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Late night
in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
0 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:39PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 8:25PM CDT until July 18 at 9:15PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
92°F
Fleta, AL
103 mi in
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
3h 59m on the road
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.
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 205.4
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 this trip, with 80% of the journey on major roads like I 65. You'll experience an 145.2-mile stretch on I 65 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. The initial part of your drive on Lockala Avenue and AL 55 will transition you onto this main interstate artery. The road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over winding, scenic byways. Prepare for a drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination smoothly and directly.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.2 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Lockala Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 24.6 miles (US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 58.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 145.2 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
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: near the start (US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 24.6 miles (US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 58.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Birmingham, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
