Origin
Sylacauga, AL
Morning in Sylacauga on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sylacauga, AL to Birmingham, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
47 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Fair
4 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sylacauga, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 47-mile drive from Sylacauga, AL to Birmingham, AL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just over an hour to complete. Primarily utilizing US 231 and the Red Mountain Expressway, this route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 95% of the journey on faster roads. The estimated fuel cost for this short hop within Alabama's Southeast region is around $7, making it an economical option. Given its brevity and highway-centric profile, this trip is perfect for a quick transit or a short excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You'll find the drive efficient and direct, connecting two points in Alabama smoothly.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 231 | 42.1 mi | 56m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| West Fort Williams Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Norton Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| US 280 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 42.1 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sylacauga, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on this road
173 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Norton Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Norton Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 511
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Fort Williams Street
4
Turn right onto US 231; US 280
42 mi
·
56 min
·
US 231; US 280
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
6
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
7
Take the exit
484 ft
·
11 sec
Toward US 11 North: 1st Avenue North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
274 ft
·
12 sec
Toward US 11 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Avenue North
10
Turn right onto 24th Street North
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
24th Street North
11
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from Sylacauga, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 43.9 and 46.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
43.9 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
6
46.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 11 North: 1st Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 North: 1st Avenue North
8
46.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 South
5
46.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
US 11 / 1st Avenue North
Turn left onto US 11 / 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
46.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
24th Street North
Turn right onto 24th Street North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.10 one way
$14.20 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $7.79 | $15.58 |
| premium | $4.56 | $8.44 | $16.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.38 | $20.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.11 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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 Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Wilsonville, AL
24 mi in
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
1h 4m 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 drive that is predominantly highway-focused, accounting for 95% of the 47 miles. The majority of your travel will occur on US 231, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.1 miles. This section likely offers a consistent driving experience, allowing for steady progress. As you approach Birmingham, you'll transition to the Red Mountain Expressway, signaling the shift towards a more urban environment. The character of the road is largely defined by its efficiency, designed for covering distance with minimal interruption, rather than for scenic exploration.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.1 mi on US 231.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 231 and Red Mountain Expressway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 43.9 miles in near US 280.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 47 miles you will encounter 9 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 43.9 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Sylacauga, AL
Full guide →Sylacauga is a town in Metropolitan Alabama. It is famed for its high quality white marble that has been widely used in major edifices like the Supreme Court and the Washington Monument in D.C., as well as for being the home of Jim Nabors (you might know him as Gomer Pyle).
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 1h 4m. Total distance: 47 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.1 miles on US 231. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.9 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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