Origin
Wetumpka, AL
Late night in Wetumpka on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wetumpka, 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
1h 49m
Distance
93.3 mi
150 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wetumpka, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Wetumpka, AL to Birmingham, AL is 93.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 49 minutes via I 65 and AL 14, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This relatively short drive stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Alabama. The route is mostly highway, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend the majority of your time on the interstate, so expect a consistent pace for most of the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Wetumpka, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 78 mi | 1h 24m |
| Elmore Road | 7 mi | 10m |
| AL 14 | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| 3rd Avenue North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Bridge Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Broad Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| 19th Street North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 78 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wetumpka, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on North Broad Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
2
Turn right onto AL 212
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Bridge Street
3
Continue on AL 212
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Elmore Road
4
Continue on AL 14; AL 143
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
AL 14; AL 143
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
6
Merge onto I 65
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 260B
Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
8
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto 19th Street North
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
19th Street North
10
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
5th Avenue North
11
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
24th Street North
12
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour 49 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Leaving Wetumpka in the morning allows for plenty of daylight to reach Birmingham, and you won't need to break up the drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, you should have sufficient gas for the trip, but it's always wise to top off before departing. As you near Birmingham, be aware of the increased traffic density, which is typical for a metropolitan area.
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 46.6 miles from Wetumpka, AL, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 57m 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 29m
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 Wetumpka, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wetumpka, AL
This is one driving day of about 93.3 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Wetumpka, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 78 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.6 miles from Wetumpka, 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 78 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 92.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
AL 212 / West Bridge Street
Turn right onto AL 212 / West Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
5
13.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
91.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward US 11: 3rd Avenue North
5
91.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
92.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
5th Avenue North
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.09 one way
$28.18 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $15.47 | $30.94 |
| premium | $4.56 | $16.75 | $33.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.60 | $41.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28 | 0 | $9.80 | $4.48 |
| Efficient EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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
Late night in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
3:01 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
31 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
1h 49m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the 93.3 miles spent on major roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous highway at 78 miles on I 65. Expect a significant amount of interstate cruising before transitioning to surface roads like Elmore Road and AL 14 closer to your destination. The interstate portion means you'll likely experience frequent exit ramps and merging traffic as you approach the Birmingham area.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Elmore Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near AL 212 / West Bridge Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Wetumpka, AL to Birmingham, AL is easy. At 1h 49m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (AL 212 / West Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 1h 49m. Total distance: 93.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78 miles on I 65. 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 0.3 miles (AL 212 / West Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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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