The Fastest and Slowest Ways to Drive from Birmingham, Alabama to Kansas City, Missouri

Are you planning a road trip from Birmingham, Alabama to Kansas City, Missouri? There are multiple routes to take, each with their advantages and disadvantages. Some routes offer beautiful scenic views, while others are shorter and faster. Let's explore the various routes, their distance, and the time it takes to drive!

Route 1: I-20 W to I-35 N

This is the shortest route, covering 675 miles and taking around 10 hours and 30 minutes to drive. The fastest way to avoid traffic is to depart Birmingham around 5 AM, arriving in Kansas City roughly at 3 PM. Generally, this route avoids rush hour traffic, meaning it is a good option if travelling during peak hours. However, the route can become difficult if there is heavy traffic, which is common in cities. Plan for congestion in larger metropolitan areas like Dallas and Oklahoma City.

Route 2: I-55 N to I-70 W

This route isn't too much longer than Route 1, at 756 miles, but it takes longer, around 12 hours. The route begins on I-55 N up to Saint Louis, Missouri, then on to I-70 W. Even though the route has a longer distance, it depends upon the time of day when travelling. If driving through Saint Louis during peak hours for traffic or rush hours, there can be heavy traffic and delay for hours. Consider leaving Birmingham early to minimize rush hour traffic.

Route 3: I-65 N to I-64 W to I-70 W

This is the longest and more scenic route out of the three, covering 850 miles and taking around 13 hours to drive. The route begins on I-65 North to Indianapolis before moving to I-64 West, connecting to I-70 West. This route offers beautiful views of the Mississippi River and the rolling hills from Indiana to Missouri and an opportunity to stop at places like Louisville, Kentucky, and St. Louis, Missouri. However, the scenic route adds more hours to the trip and can become frustrating during weekends.

Conclusion

Overall, the driving time between Birmingham, Alabama and Kansas City, Missouri varies greatly depending on the route you take and the time of day you commute. The safest bet is to leave early and avoid peak traffic hours. The shortest route is I-20 W to I-35 N, which takes 10-11 hours of driving. I-55 N to I-70 W covers 12 hours of driving but features beautiful natural scenery. The longest route is I-65 N to I-64 W to I-70 W which offers an opportunity to visit beautiful cities and adds about 13-14 hours of driving time to your trip.

No matter which route you choose, it is essential to take breaks and make sure to refill your gas and refreshments. Drive safely, and happy road tripping!