How far is Birmingham, AL from Rainbow, AL?

The driving distance from Birmingham, AL to Rainbow, AL is about 96.7 miles (155.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.2 miles (137.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 46m 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
96.75 mi
01h 53m
Flight
85.2 mi
137.12 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
85.2 mi
Kilometers
137.12 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
96.75 mi
Kilometers
155.71 km
Drive Time
01h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rainbow
Thu, Oct 15, 10:09 PM CDT
Return by in Birmingham
Fri, Oct 16, 12:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Birmingham
2026-10-15T20:16
Arrive Rainbow
Thu, Oct 15, 10:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:53 AM to 11:53 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:44 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Cullman
AL

City in Cullman County, Alabama, United States

From Birmingham
48.5 mi
00h 56m
To Rainbow
48.3 mi
00h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
89°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 10:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    8.4 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway

    1397 ft · 27 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Madison

    142 m · 9 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

    1393 ft · 28 sec · Wall Triana Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Sullivan Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Sullivan Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Wall Triana Highway

    3.1 mi · 6 min · Wall Triana Highway

  13. 13

    Turn right

    1.2 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Rainbow Circle

    826 ft · 42 sec · Rainbow Circle

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Forrest Drive

    36 m · 5 sec · Forrest Drive

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Forrest Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
79.4 mi · 82%
I 565 East
9.28 mi · 10%
Wall Triana Highway
3.39 mi · 4%
Sullivan Street
2.09 mi · 2%
6th Avenue North
1.19 mi · 1%
Madison Boulevard
0.26 mi
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 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.5 mi
85.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cullman
00h 56m from Birmingham
Leave By
2:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Birmingham and Sunny near Rainbow.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 96.7 miles (155.7 km) and usually takes 01h 53m 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?

Cullman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.5 miles from Birmingham and 48.3 miles from Rainbow.

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

The direct path is about 85.2 miles (137.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 2:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.48 one way or $26.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Birmingham and Sunny near Rainbow.

Stop Ideas Near Cullman

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Cullman, 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 Cullman.

RAIL

Birmingham

74 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Anniston

110 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Birmingham and Rainbow. Straight-line distance: 85.2 mi (137.12 km).

Birmingham

#1 Birmingham

The most populous city in Alabama.

Population206,950
Coordinates33.5206600, -86.8024900
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Rainbow

Rainbow is a place in Alabama, United States.

Population0
Coordinates34.7525900, -86.7363900
Altitude239
CountryUnited States
Start: Birmingham (-86.80249, 33.52066)
End: Rainbow (-86.73639, 34.75259)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.41 gal
12.92 L · about $13.48
Round trip
$26.97
6.82 gal · 25.84 L
Estimated CO2
30.3 kg one way
Round trip: 60.6 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $13.48 $26.97
Mid-grade $4.43 $15.10 $30.21
Premium $4.84 $16.49 $32.97
Diesel $5.93 $20.23 $40.47

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Birmingham and Rainbow. The current time is 20:16:06.

Distance to Other Cities

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