Origin
Owens Cross Roads, AL
Morning in Owens Cross Roads on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Owens Cross Roads, AL to Birmingham, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
114.7 mi
185 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Owens Cross Roads, AL
Abenezer Muluken
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 114.7-mile drive from Owens Cross Roads, AL, to Birmingham, AL, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-65 and I-565, with US-431 also playing a role, meaning you'll spend about 95% of your time on major roadways. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you won't be crossing any major regional lines. This drive is ideal if you're looking for an efficient and uncomplicated way to get from point A to point B within Alabama.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.3 miles from Owens Cross Roads, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 77.3 mi | 1h 23m |
| I 565 | 16.6 mi | 17m |
| US 431 | 15.6 mi | 22m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Wilson Mann Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 19th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 77.3 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Owens Cross Roads, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on Old Hwy 431
32 ft
·
2 sec
·
Old Hwy 431
2
Turn right onto CH 61
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Mann Road
3
Turn left onto US 431
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-565 West: Decatur
5
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Use 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 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use 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 261A
Toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Use 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
Given the relatively short duration of just over two hours, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll spend most of your time on I-65, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 77.3-mile stretch, as services might be more spaced out. Planning your departure to avoid peak rush hour traffic in Birmingham is a good idea to maximize your time. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, you can easily budget for this straightforward trip without needing extensive planning for fuel stops.
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 57.3 miles from Owens Cross Roads, AL, or about 1h 9m 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 9m 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 49m
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 Owens Cross Roads, 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 Owens Cross Roads, AL
This is one driving day of about 114.7 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Owens Cross Roads, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.3 miles from Owens Cross Roads, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 33.2 and 112.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
33.2 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
107.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m 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
108.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
7
108.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
8
112.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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
$17.32 one way
$34.64 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $19.02 | $38.03 |
| premium | $4.56 | $20.59 | $41.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.32 | $50.65 |
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: 40.1 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 | 34.4 | 0 | $12.04 | $5.51 |
| Efficient EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.06 | $7.34 |
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.
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Morning in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
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
27 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
2h 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 95% of the drive taking place on interstates like I-65 and I-565. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 77.3 miles on I-65, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While the highway nature means less focus on scenic detours, it ensures a direct and efficient path. The drive progresses smoothly, largely sticking to major arteries that connect the two cities without much deviation into slower local roads.
95% 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 33.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 114.7 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 33.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Owens Cross Roads, AL and Birmingham, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale and Montgomery.
Nashville
33 mi in
|
~42m
Fultondale
107.7 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Montgomery
108.7 mi in
|
~2h 4m
About the Cities
Arriving in Birmingham, AL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 114.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Birmingham, AL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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