This 113.7-mile journey from Henagar to Birmingham, Alabama, can be completed in about 2 hours and 9 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is predominantly highway, with 94% of the drive on main roads like I-59 and State Highway 40. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, this is an economical trip through the Southeast region of Alabama. The straightforward nature of this drive means you can focus on reaching your destination efficiently without needing to break it up overnight. It's a practical option for a quick transition between two points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.9 miles from Henagar, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
98.6 mi
1h 45m
State Highway 40
7.3 mi
11m
1st Avenue North
5.7 mi
8m
AL 117
1.5 mi
2m
24th Street North
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 98.6 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Henagar, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on this road
119 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto AL 40
7.3 mi·11 min·State Highway 40
3
Continue on AL 117
1.5 mi·2 min·AL 117
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
5
Merge onto I 59
99 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 59
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 132Toward US 11: 1st Avenue NorthUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
326 ft·8 sec
Toward US 11 South: 1st Avenue NorthUse the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 11
5.7 mi·8 min·1st Avenue North
9
Turn right onto 24th Street North
0.3 mi·40 sec·24th Street North
10
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 9-minute duration for this 113.7-mile drive, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Birmingham with plenty of the day remaining. With a fuel cost of around $17, it's a budget-friendly option. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 98.6 miles on I-59, so plan for any necessary stops before or after this long segment. Ensure your vehicle is fueled before departing Henagar, as major services might be less frequent on the highway sections.
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 56.9 miles from Henagar, AL, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.6 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.9 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 Henagar, 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 Henagar, AL
This is one driving day of about 113.7 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Henagar, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 98.6 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 113.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|AL 40 / State Highway 40
Turn right onto AL 40 / State Highway 40
Navigation decision point
4
8.8 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
107.6 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 11: 1st Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 132
Toward US 11: 1st Avenue North
8
107.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 South: 1st Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 11 South: 1st Avenue North
4
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|24th Street North
Turn right onto 24th Street North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.17 one way
$34.34 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.85
$37.70
premium
$4.56
$20.41
$40.82
diesel
$5.61
$25.10
$50.21
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: 39.8 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
34.1
0
$11.94
$5.46
Efficient EV
28.4
0
$9.95
$4.55
EV Truck/SUV
45.5
0
$15.92
$7.28
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 18, 2026
Origin
Henagar, AL
Morning
in Henagar on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Morning
in Birmingham on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
10 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
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 114.8
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifa...
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 63.3
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 the majority of this 113.7-mile trip, as 94% of the route utilizes main roads. You'll experience a significant 98.6-mile stretch on I-59, offering a consistent pace. While the primary roads are interstates and state highways, the inclusion of 1st Avenue North as you approach Birmingham will introduce a more urban driving feel. This route is designed for efficiency, with long, uninterrupted highway segments allowing for steady progress toward your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.6 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and State Highway 40. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AL 40 / State Highway 40.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Henagar, AL to Birmingham, AL is easy. At 2h 9m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AL 40 / State Highway 40): Navigation decision point; at 8.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 107.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
The longest stretch is about 98.6 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 (AL 40 / State Highway 40): Navigation decision point; at 8.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 107.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, Russell Cave National Monument and Freedom Riders 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.
