How far is Birmingham, AL from Chelsea, AL?

The driving distance from Birmingham, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 101.1 miles (162.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
101.07 mi
01h 54m
Flight
81.59 mi
131.3 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Birmingham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
81.59 mi
Kilometers
131.3 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.07 mi
Kilometers
162.65 km
Drive Time
01h 54m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Sat, Apr 18, 10:12 AM CDT
Return by in Birmingham
Sat, Apr 18, 12:07 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Birmingham
2026-04-18T08:17
Arrive Chelsea
Sat, Apr 18, 10:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:55 AM to 11:55 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Birmingham
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Pine Hill
AL

Town in Alabama

From Birmingham
50.6 mi
00h 57m
To Chelsea
50.5 mi
00h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Birmingham and Chelsea.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham and Chelsea.

  1. 1

    Start on 24th Street North

    159 m · 20 sec · 24th Street North

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 6th Avenue North

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 6th Avenue North

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 65 North

    880 ft · 21 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    79.3 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville

    2761 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    16.3 mi · 18 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward AL 53: Jordan Lane

    1417 ft · 30 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Jordan Lane Southwest

    2054 ft · 46 sec · Jordan Lane Southwest

  10. 10

    Continue on Patton Road Southwest

    1 mi · 2 min · Patton Road Southwest

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Drake Avenue Southwest

    1 mi · 2 min · Drake Avenue Southwest

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Triana Boulevard Southwest

    2730 ft · 1 min · Triana Boulevard Southwest

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Triana Boulevard Southwest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Birmingham and Chelsea.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
79.4 mi · 79%
I 565 East
17.2 mi · 17%
6th Avenue North
1.19 mi · 1%
Drake Avenue Southwest
1.02 mi · 1%
Patton Road Southwest
1 mi · 1%
Triana Boulevard Southwest
0.52 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight left

79.3 mi · 01h 26m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.5 mi
81.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pine Hill
00h 57m from Birmingham
Leave By
2:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Birmingham and Partly Sunny near Chelsea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Birmingham to Chelsea?

The road trip is about 101.1 miles (162.7 km) and usually takes 01h 54m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Pine Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.6 miles from Birmingham and 50.5 miles from Chelsea.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.52 one way or $27.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Birmingham and Partly Sunny near Chelsea.

Stop Ideas Near Pine Hill

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pine Hill, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pine Hill.

RAIL

Birmingham

79 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Anniston

117 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Birmingham and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 81.59 mi (131.3 km).

Birmingham

#1 Birmingham

The most populous city in Alabama.

Population206,950
Coordinates33.5206600, -86.8024900
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Chelsea

#2 Chelsea

City in Madison County, Alabama, United States

Population14,608
Coordinates34.6906500, -86.6099900
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Birmingham (-86.80249, 33.52066)
End: Chelsea (-86.60999, 34.69065)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 163 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.57 gal
13.5 L · about $13.52
Round trip
$27.04
7.14 gal · 27 L
Estimated CO2
31.7 kg one way
Round trip: 63.5 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $13.52 $27.04
Mid-grade $4.26 $15.20 $30.41
Premium $4.63 $16.51 $33.02
Diesel $5.42 $19.33 $38.66

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Alabama · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Birmingham and Chelsea. The current time is 08:17:40.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.