Home to significant landmarks from the American Civil Rights Movement, an Alabama road trip is a must-do for American history buffs. But you’ll also love the Heart of Dixie for its white sand beaches, rolling Appalachian Mountains, and classic Southern dishes like shrimp and grits, barbecue ribs, and pecan pie.

Fortunately, you’ll find driving to Alabama to be pretty easy. The state’s roads are in good shape and adequately signposted. There are frequent fuel stations and rest stops. But, as is true for all road trips, you’ll want to know the routes and the rules.

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The best routes for driving to Alabama

Whether you’re traveling from a nearby Southern state or visiting from the faraway Northeast, Midwest, or West Coast, we’ll help you plan the perfect route.

Here are some popular ones:

Austin to Birmingham (11 hours): If you’re from

Texas

, you know that the South has plenty to offer. This very doable road trip takes you through

Waco

, then Jackson,

Mississippi

, and then onto the home of the nation’s largest Veteran’s Day celebration:

Birmingham

New York City to Montgomery (15 hours): Escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple with a trip to

Montgomery

, where you can munch on Southern favorites like biscuits, sausage gravy, fried green tomatoes, and beignets. Get there in 15 hours flat, or take your time by stopping in major cities like

Philadelphia

, Washington D.C.,

Charlotte

, and

Atlanta

along the way.

Minneapolis to Huntsville (14 hours): Getting to the Rocket City—home of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command—from

Minnesota

is easy! Cruise along toll roads east toward

Indianapolis

, then head south through

Tennessee

and on to

Huntsville

San Francisco to Mobile (33 hours): Getting from

California

to the Gulf Coast of Alabama may take a couple of days, but this historic and vibrant city situated on Mobile Bay is worth it.

How good are Alabama’s roads?

Alabama’s roads and bridges are in relatively good condition, especially compared to other Southern states. This is largely because the Alabama Department of Transportation devotes a large amount of its budget to preserving the road system.

Of course, you can find plenty of bumpy backroads, but—if you’re traveling from major metropolis to major metropolis—you’ll mostly find your trip to be smooth and scenic.

MORE:

How to check for Alabama road closures

Does Alabama have toll roads?

Unbeknownst even to many local Alabama motorists, the state has four toll roads. They can be found in Montgomery, Orange Beach, Wetumpka, and Tuscaloosa. Unlike toll roads in neighboring states, Alabama toll roads and bridges are privately owned and operated.

While these toll roads are specifically designed to alleviate heavy traffic—especially for holiday tourists—most Alabama natives get around without them.

How bad is Alabama traffic?

Thanks in part to significant investments in road maintenance, Alabama traffic is not that bad—that is if you’re talking traffic density.

Alabama drivers are some of the

worst in the nation

, though, based on metrics such as the number of

uninsured drivers

, number of

DUI

arrests, and number of traffic-related fatalities.

Fortunately, even major cities like Birmingham, Huntsville, and

Mobile

are easy to navigate and not too congested. So, as long as you invest in a sufficient

car insurance policy

and practice safe driving, you shouldn’t have too much trouble.

Key Takeaway: While Alabama cities don’t suffer from heavy traffic, the state has some of the worst drivers in the nation—so be sure to drive extra carefully!

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What are Alabama’s speeding laws?

Speed limits in Alabama are quite similar to much of the United States, with the lowest limit being 15 mph in school zones and the highest being 70 mph on some highways. The limit is highly variable in certain areas, so always keep an eye out for signage.

Here are the general speeds you can expect to see:

School zones—15 mph

Residential areas—25 mph

Dirt/country roads—35 mph

Highways—45 to 55 mph

4-lane roadways—65 mph

Interstate highways—70 mph

Keep in mind that Alabama has two speed limits: the absolute speed limit, which is posted on the signage, and the basic speed law, which dictates that you must slow down in certain conditions (such as inclement weather) and drive at a speed that’s safe for such conditions.

Fines for speeding in Alabama

If you’re pulled over for speeding in Alabama, you’ll likely be issued a ticket.

Speeding ticket

fines will generally range between $150 and $300, depending on how much over the limit you were driving. Fees will almost always double in construction zones.

Speeding will also result in

demerit points

, which are added to your

personal driving record

and can cause your car insurance rates to go up. If you receive too many demerit points, your

license could be suspended

for 60 to 365 days.

What are Alabama’s alcohol laws?

Alabama’s alcohol laws are very straightforward: if you’re under 21, you cannot drive with a BAC that’s higher than 0.02%, and if you’re over 21, you cannot drive with a BAC that’s higher than 0.08%.

According to the

Alabama DMV

, commercial drivers and school bus/daycare drivers must follow stricter rules.

Note that drunk driving is a serious offense—even one conviction can land you in jail for up to a year.

It’s also illegal to have

open containers

of alcohol in your car while driving—regardless of whether they’re actively being drunk (or who is doing the drinking). Any alcohol in the vehicle must be sealed in its original container. Or, if you have a previously opened container of alcohol, it must be transported in the trunk, out of reach of the driver or passengers.

Can you use headphones while driving in Alabama?

There are no laws that prohibit the use of headphones while driving in Alabama. So you’re totally fine to use your Bluetooth headset or wear your earbuds. Just remember that

driving distracted

is dangerous—and utilizing both your eyes and ears is the best way to remain alert!

MORE:

Texting and driving laws in Alabama

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FAQs

What are the best and worst cities for driving in Alabama?

Nowhere in Alabama is particularly difficult in terms of driving—even major cities like Birmingham and Huntsville are far less trafficked than major cities in other states. As long as you avoid rush hour, you should be fine no matter where you go!

How long does it take to drive across Alabama?

Alabama is 329 miles north to south, which will take you about 5 hours if you drive nonstop on the highway. East to west is even faster—at just 210-miles wide, you can make the trip in just over 3 hours on the highway.

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