How far is Rainbow City, AL from Vestavia Hills, AL?
The driving distance from Rainbow City, AL to Vestavia Hills, AL is about 67.9 miles (109.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.3 miles (89 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 12m 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 06m.
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.
Town in St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rainbow City and Vestavia Hills.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rainbow City and Vestavia Hills.
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1
Start on the route
17 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn sharp left onto Rainbow Drive
38 m · 8 sec · Rainbow Drive
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3
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
3.9 mi · 7 min · West Grand Avenue
-
4
Continue on Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
2594 ft · 53 sec · Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
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5
Take the ramp left toward I-59 South: Birmingham
2313 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
54.2 mi · 59 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
1671 ft · 41 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 31 South, US 280 East
2607 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
3 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway
-
10
Continue on Independence Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Independence Drive
-
11
Continue on Montgomery Highway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Montgomery Highway
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12
Turn left onto Tyson Drive
116 m · 22 sec · Tyson Drive
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13
Turn right onto Tremont Drive
57 m · 12 sec · Tremont Drive
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14
Turn left
43 m · 11 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rainbow City and Vestavia Hills.
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 South
Merge slight left
54.2 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Sunny leaving Rainbow City and Sunny near Vestavia Hills.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rainbow City to Vestavia Hills?
The road trip is about 67.9 miles (109.3 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?
Springville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.9 miles from Rainbow City and 35 miles from Vestavia Hills.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.3 miles (89 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 4:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.49 one way or $18.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rainbow City and Sunny near Vestavia Hills.
Stop Ideas Near Springville
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 Springville.
Birmingham
Anniston
Brent, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rainbow City and Vestavia Hills. Straight-line distance: 55.33 mi (89.04 km).
#1 Rainbow City
City in Alabama, United States
| Population | 9,611 |
| Coordinates | 33.9548200, -86.0419200 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Vestavia Hills
City in Jefferson and Shelby counties, Alabama, United States
| Population | 34,317 |
| Coordinates | 33.4487200, -86.7877700 |
| Altitude | 290 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-86.787989, 33.448476)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 109 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $9.49 | $18.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $10.63 | $21.26 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $11.60 | $23.21 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $14.24 | $28.48 |
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