Memphis to Birmingham AL drive: Distance, time & best stops

Planning a Memphis to Birmingham AL road trip itinerary

The drive from Memphis to Birmingham Alabama connects two key cities in the American South.

Memphis, Tennessee, is a pilgrimage site for Elvis fans. The King’s Graceland mansion is one of the top tourist sites in the US. But the cultural heritage extends beyond music, as you’ll discover on an African-American history tour.

Also try the Rock and Soul Museum, plus the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and the 19th century Woodruff-Fontaine House.

Ways of seeing the city include ghost walks, Downtown food tours and musical bus tours. There are also guided walks down music central, Beale Street, and city tours that take you inside the legendary Sun Studios.

Birmingham, Alabama, has a rich civil rights heritage. This is best explored on a civil rights tour which links the key sites and, crucially, puts them into context. Other Birmingham experiences include ghost walks and multi-brewery beer tours.

For museums, you’ve got the McWane Science Center, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and more. 

The top-rated Birmingham accommodation picks are the Drury Inn and Suites Birmingham Grandview and the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Birmingham South.

Memphis to Birmingham AL distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Memphis to Birmingham AL is 238 miles. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 34 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-22.

The beast road trip stops on the Memphis to Birmingham Al drive are the Holly Springs National Forest, the Elvis Presley Birthplace and the Alabama Mining Museum.

Memphis to Birmingham AL drive: Holly Springs National Forest

In northern Mississippi, the Holly Springs National Forest is a happy mix of small lakes and pine forests. It’s a great spot for camping and fishing, while three of the lakes are open for boating.

If all you want is a beach on a hot day, however, head to Chewalla Lake, which has a swimming area with a picnic area and playground behind it.

Memphis to Birmingham AL road trip attractions: Elvis Presley Birthplace

Elvis lived in Tupelo, Mississippi, until he was 13 years old. The house where he was born, and lived his first few years, is now a museum.

The simple two room house was built by Presley’s father, Vernon. Attractions at the site include a statue of Elvis as a 13-year-old and the church the family attended.

Best things to do between Memphis and Birmingham AL: Alabama Mining Museum

The Alabama Mining Museum in Dora AL looks at all things coal mining. It looks at the coal industry in Alabama, as well as life down the mines. Entry to the museum is free, and there’s a bit of local history outside the coal industry thrown in.

It’s a low budget museum, but one that punches above its weight.

Birmingham, Alabama.
Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by 12019/ Pixabay.

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