Going to the beach in Birmingham? Here are 5 routes you might have missed

As visitors flood Alabama’s beaches this summer, many tourists may be looking for an easier or faster or just less traveled way to get there.

Whether that involves bypassing the ever-congested I-65, which is currently under expansion slated for completion around 2025, or finding somewhere closer to the beach, here are five alternative beach routes that could cut down on travel time yours, they will help you avoid sitting in the chair. in traffic, or just take a look at a road less traveled.

Alternate route west to Gulf Shores

For those heading from the west side of metro Birmingham to Gulf Shores and wanting to avoid I-65, there is an alternate route using AL-5 South and AL-59 South.

To access the trail, take US-11 South from west Birmingham down past Woodstock, then take 4th Ave Southwest and Eastern Valley Road to AL-5 South.

This trip cuts 6 miles from taking I-65, but takes just over 5.5 hours. The drive to Gulf Shores via I-65 takes just over 4.5 hours if traffic is flowing.

To view the route, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/4eyJvrwpW4H9kUTV9.

Alternate route east to Gulf Shores For those heading from the east side of the metro to the coast, there is an alternate route via US-31. This trip will take over 6.5 hours and adds about twenty miles to the trip.

While this adds two hours to the trip compared to the I-65 route, there may be less chance of getting stuck in traffic depending on the time of day.

To view the route, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/tdpjiPy6EmTLFRYN7

Dauphin Island via I-65

While this trip requires a drive on I-65 most of the way, Dauphin Island is the closest beach to Birmingham. According to Google Maps, a trip from Birmingham to Dauphin Island without traffic problems takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Comparatively, a traffic-free trip from Birmingham to Gulf Shores on I-65 takes about 4.5 hours. And a trip from Birmingham to Panama City Beach via I-65 will take at least 4 hours and 45 minutes.

The self-proclaimed “sunset capital of Alabama” is only accessible by car via a single bridge and offers ferry service to nearby Gulf and Orange beaches, as AL.com’s Michelle Matthews previously reported.

To get directions go to https://maps.app.goo.gl/gLeJuCjxhbUvzjQ8A

From Birmingham to Panama City Beach via US-331 South

This route takes just under 6 hours to travel 278 miles from downtown Birmingham to Panama City Beach and bypasses I-65 entirely. This adds about 10 miles to the trip as opposed to taking I-65. Without traffic, the trip to Panama City Beach from Birmingham on I-65 takes just under 5 hours.

To see the alternate route, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZERLzcwDL7QtcFQL6

From Birmingham to Orange Beach via AL-5 South

This route also bypasses I-65 and cuts to about 5 miles of travel. Without traffic, it takes about 4.5 hours to get to Orange Beach from Birmingham via I-65. This alternative route takes approximately 5.5 hours.

To view the route, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/qaN9GU11fzawp2g66