Texas, AL to Highland Lakes, AL is 83.4 miles and takes about 1h 42m via I 22 and US 280, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's a good option for a quick getaway or a connecting leg of a longer journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from Texas, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 22
55.9 mi
59m
US 280
11.1 mi
16m
Bankhead Highway
3.9 mi
5m
I 65
3.5 mi
4m
Red Mountain Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
AL 13
1.9 mi
2m
Highland Lakes Drive
1.2 mi
2m
I 20
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 22
— 55.9 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texas, AL and Highland Lakes, AL.
1
Start on AL 118
0.2 mi·20 sec·Bankhead Highway
2
Continue on AL 118
3.7 mi·5 min·Bankhead Highway
3
Turn left onto AL 13
1.9 mi·2 min·AL 13
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
56 mi·59 min·I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·38 sec
Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 65
3.5 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 261BToward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
9
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 126AToward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 EastUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi·3 min·Red Mountain Expressway
13
Take the exit onto US 280
11 mi·16 min·US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo GardensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Highland Lakes Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·Highland Lakes Drive
15
Turn left onto Highland Lakes Trail
0.4 mi·1 min·Highland Lakes Trail
16
Turn right onto Blue Heron Point
0.2 mi·35 sec·Blue Heron Point
17
Arrive at destination
Blue Heron Point
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over an hour and a half, this is a very manageable drive, making it ideal for a same-day trip. You won't need to worry much about fuel stops, with an estimated cost of only $13. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. Since the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 55.9 miles on I 22, plan your breaks before or after this longer highway segment to keep things comfortable.
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 41.7 miles from Texas, AL, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 47m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland Lakes, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Texas, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Texas, AL
This is one driving day of about 83.4 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Texas, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 22 for about 55.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 70.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.9 mi into trip|~5m in|AL 13
Turn left onto AL 13
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
62.1 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
8
67.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downt...
8
67.5 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
7
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.60 one way
$25.19 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$13.83
$27.65
premium
$4.56
$14.97
$29.94
diesel
$5.61
$18.41
$36.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25
0
$8.76
$4.00
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.30
$3.34
EV Truck/SUV
33.4
0
$11.68
$5.34
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Texas, AL
Late night
in Texas on Sunday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Highland Lakes, AL
Late night
in Highland Lakes on Sunday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Birmingham, AL
42 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
7 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 42m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 91% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 55.9 miles on I 22, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. While the majority is highway, expect transitions onto US 280 and Bankhead Highway, which may offer a slightly different driving feel. Overall, anticipate a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.9 mi on I 22.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and US 280. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near AL 13.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.9 miles (AL 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 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 Texas, AL and Highland Lakes, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
Gadsden
66.1 mi in|~1h 14m
Downtown
67.3 mi in|~1h 16m
Zoo Gardens
70.5 mi in|~1h 21m|via US 280
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 83.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.9 miles on I 22. 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 Highland Lakes, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 3.9 miles (AL 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 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 Highland Lakes, AL before heading back.
