Hazel Green to Birmingham is 114 miles and takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes via I-65 and I-565, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward and efficient option for getting between these two cities. Given its relatively short duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.2 miles from Hazel Green, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
77.3 mi
1h 23m
I 565
18.3 mi
19m
U.S. 231
11.6 mi
13m
Memorial Parkway Northwest
1.6 mi
2m
US 72
0.9 mi
1m
5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
<1m
19th Street North
0.3 mi
<1m
Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 77.3 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hazel Green, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on US 231; US 431
12 mi·13 min·U.S. 231
2
Keep slight left at fork onto US 231; US 431
1.6 mi·2 min·Memorial Parkway Northwest
3
Take the exit onto US 72
0.9 mi·1 min·US 72
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I-565 WestUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
18 mi·19 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 65
74 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 65
3.6 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 261AToward 17th Street North, DowntownUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi·22 sec·Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right onto 19th Street North
0.3 mi·34 sec·19th Street North
16
Turn left 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
For this 2-hour drive, aim to leave early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic congestion. Since the total travel time is under 3 hours, you likely won't need to stop for an extended break, but be mindful of the 77.3-mile stretch on I-65 where services might be less frequent. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longer highway segment, as the estimated cost is only around $17. This route is flexible enough that you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 57.2 miles from Hazel Green, AL, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.3 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.2 miles or 1h 5m 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 44m
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 Hazel Green, 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 Hazel Green, AL
This is one driving day of about 114.4 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Hazel Green, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 77.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 14 and 112.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-565 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-565 West
8
32.9 mi into trip|~38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
8
107.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
107.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
8
112.3 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 261A
Toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.28 one way
$34.55 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.97
$37.93
premium
$4.56
$20.53
$41.07
diesel
$5.61
$25.26
$50.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.3
0
$12.01
$5.49
Efficient EV
28.6
0
$10.01
$4.58
EV Truck/SUV
45.8
0
$16.02
$7.32
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Hazel Green, AL
Late night
in Hazel Green on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Late night
in Birmingham on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
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
3 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
2h 9m 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 114.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 96% of this drive on highways, with a significant 77.3-mile stretch on I-65. This means you'll encounter plenty of highway miles before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a lot of exits and merging traffic as you navigate between I-65 and I-565, especially as you approach urban areas. The majority of this drive is on well-maintained interstate.
96% 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: 77.3 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 114.4 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 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hazel Green, AL and Birmingham, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale and Montgomery.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 114.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.3 miles on I 65. 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
