Join us for a 90-mile journey eastbound on Interstate 20 as we cruise from the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama all the way to the Georgia state line. We kick things off high above the city, merging onto the combined lanes of I-20 and I-59 via a dramatic flyover ramp from Interstate 65. It’s an energetic start — Birmingham’s skyline quickly fades in the rearview as we weave through a flurry of exits serving U.S. 31 and U.S. 280, popular routes for both commuters and those venturing into the city’s bustling neighborhoods. Just south of the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, the two interstates split at a well-known trumpet interchange — we stick to I-20 east, leaving I-59 to snake its way north toward Gadsden.
Once free of the city’s congestion, the route opens up to rolling hills and a calmer pace as we pass the junction with Interstate 459, Birmingham’s partial beltway. From here, it’s a straightforward shot east into the smaller communities that dot central Alabama’s stretch of the I-20 corridor. We roll through the historic railroad town of Leeds, where U.S. 411 provides a link north toward Gadsden or south to Pell City. Leeds is a favorite pit stop, home to the Barber Motorsports Park and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum — both worth a visit if you’re into motorcycles and racing history. A few miles later, we reach Pell City, where U.S. 231 intersects I-20. This area is popular with boaters and anglers headed for Logan Martin Lake, a beautiful reservoir on the Coosa River that’s easily accessed from the interstate.
Continuing eastbound, our path crosses the Coosa River itself on a broad bridge before drawing near the roar of the Talladega Superspeedway, a pilgrimage site for NASCAR fans. Even if you’re not catching a race, the sheer scale of the track — visible from the highway — hints at Alabama’s deep racing roots. Beyond Talladega, the drive shifts in tone as we pass through the Talladega National Forest. The forest envelopes I-20 in greenery, creating a peaceful corridor through the Appalachian foothills. We cross AL-281, known locally as the Talladega Scenic Drive — a detour that rewards adventurous drivers with mountain views and trailheads leading into the forest’s heart.
Emerging from the forest’s embrace, we enter Heflin, a small city with a friendly, historic downtown just a few minutes from the interstate. It’s a good spot to refuel, grab a bite, or simply stretch your legs under the canopy of old oaks lining its streets. A pair of local state highways cross our route here, connecting travelers deeper into Cleburne County. With Heflin behind us, the final miles toward Georgia roll smoothly through countryside that transitions from Alabama’s wooded ridges to Georgia’s pine and pasture landscape. Before long, the state line sign greets us just east of Muscadine, marking the end of this segment and the beginning of new adventures across the Peach State.
🗺️ Route Map
0 Comments