How far is Birmingham, AL from Fort Payne, AL?
The driving distance from Birmingham, AL to Fort Payne, AL is about 94.3 miles (151.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 89 miles (143.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Birmingham and Fort Payne.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham and Fort Payne.
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1
Start on 24th Street North
14 m · 3 sec · 24th Street North
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2
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
57 m · 4 sec · 5th Avenue North
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3
Keep slight left to continue on 5th Avenue North
1728 ft · 34 sec · 5th Avenue North
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4
Continue on Messer Airport Highway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Messer Airport Highway
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Gadsden, Atlanta
1316 ft · 34 sec
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6
Merge slight left
603 ft · 9 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 59 North: Gadsden
88.4 mi · 1 hr 35 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward 35: Fort Payne, Rainsville
1323 ft · 28 sec
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9
Turn right onto Glenn Boulevard Southwest
1.5 km · 2 min · Glenn Boulevard Southwest
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Glenn Boulevard Southwest
756 ft · 22 sec · Glenn Boulevard Southwest
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Gault Avenue South
1 mi · 3 min · Gault Avenue South
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gault Avenue North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Birmingham and Fort Payne.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 59 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 59 North: Gadsden
88.4 mi · 01h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Birmingham and Mostly Sunny near Fort Payne.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Birmingham to Fort Payne?
The road trip is about 94.3 miles (151.7 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?
Steele is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.2 miles from Birmingham and 47.2 miles from Fort Payne.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 89 miles (143.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 2:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.61 one way or $25.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Birmingham and Mostly Sunny near Fort Payne.
Stop Ideas Near Steele
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Steele.
Anniston
Birmingham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Birmingham and Fort Payne. Straight-line distance: 89 mi (143.23 km).
#1 Birmingham
The most populous city in Alabama.
| Population | 206,950 |
| Coordinates | 33.5206600, -86.8024900 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Payne
City in Alabama, US
| Population | 14,041 |
| Coordinates | 34.4442500, -85.7196900 |
| Altitude | 275 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Payne (-85.71969, 34.44425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 152 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $12.61 | $25.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $14.18 | $28.36 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $15.40 | $30.80 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $18.03 | $36.06 |
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 · May 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.