Birmingham's interstates, MAX Transit buses and the BX rapid line, Birmingham On-Demand rides to the airport, bikes and scooters, and how on-street parking works.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts come from MAX Transit, the City of Birmingham Department of Transportation and the agencies linked below. For this week’s closures, see road construction and closures.

Birmingham sits where several interstates meet, and the city says five interstates serve it. The region’s public transit is MAX Transit (the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority), with a bus rapid transit line across the city, and the city adds on-demand rides, bikes and scooters.

Who to call

  • MAX Transit routes and trip planning: routes and schedules and the MAX trip planner
  • Birmingham On-Demand: book in the Via app
  • Streets, signals, signs and on-street parking requests: Birmingham Department of Transportation, 205-254-2450
  • Broken signal, missing sign or broken meter: 311, or 205-254-2489
  • Streetlight out: Alabama Power, 1-800-245-2244, the city says
  • Live interstate conditions: ALGO Traffic

The main roads

  • I-20/59 runs east to west through downtown, with exits such as 123 (U.S. 78/Arkadelphia Road), 124A (6th Avenue North) and 125 (22nd Street, downtown), as ALGO Traffic and the interstate signs list them.
  • I-65 passes through the city; on the Homewood side, Exit 255 is Lakeshore Drive.
  • I-459: in Birmingham, Exit 17 is Acton Road.
  • U.S. 280 passes Summit Boulevard, and U.S. 78 meets I-20/59 at Arkadelphia Road (Exit 123).
  • The new Northern Beltline opened its first 1.88-mile segment, between SR-79 and SR-75 in northeast Jefferson County, on Sept. 29; see our roads page.

MAX Transit buses

Birmingham Xpress (BX) is MAX’s bus rapid transit line. It runs east to west across Birmingham, from the Woodlawn Transit Center to the CrossPlex Transit Center, with Wi-Fi, charging and bike racks, according to MAX.

The Magic City Connector runs along 20th Street from the Uptown district downtown to the Homewood City Center, connecting with other routes and many attractions. MAX lists a current detour for construction on 20th Street at 1st and 2nd avenues North.

MAX fixed routes cover the rest of the Birmingham-Jefferson County area, grouped as North/East and South/West. MAX posts schedules for routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 14, 17, 22, 25, 31, 45, 90, 100 and 280. Its downtown hub is Central Station, 1700 Morris Ave., whose customer counter is open weekdays and weekends, with hours posted on MAX’s site. Plan any trip with the MAX trip planner.

The airport

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (flybirmingham.com) serves the city. The city’s About Birmingham page says it offers 114 flights to 26 airports. Without a car, use Birmingham On-Demand: the city says the service covers an East Side and Airport Zone and a City Center Zone, booked in the Via app.

Bikes, scooters and trails

The city has partnered with Veo and Lime for bike and scooter rentals; download either app to ride. Veo also lets riders without a smartphone set up an account by mail and unlock by calling 855-836-2256. City rules: obey traffic signals and signs, no riding on sidewalks, and helmets are encouraged but not required (micromobility program). For walking and riding off the street, see parks and trails; the planned Civil Rights Crossroads paths are set to begin construction in 2027.

Parking

The city maintains on-street parking meters. Read the posted sign or meter at each space for its time limit, hours and payment options; the city did not publish a single downtown meter schedule on its website as of Oct. 17. Report a broken meter to 311, and send questions or requests about on-street parking to the Department of Transportation at 205-254-2450. For big events, the city and organizers post event parking plans; for the Magic City Classic on Oct. 31, shuttles run from the Birmingham CrossPlex, 2340 CrossPlex Blvd.

The city removed citywide minimum parking requirements for new businesses under its Right Size Parking Initiative.

What this means for you

  • Use the MAX trip planner before your first bus ride; BX is the fastest east-west line.
  • Use Birmingham On-Demand for airport trips within its zone.
  • Check ALGO Traffic before driving I-20/59 or I-65 at rush hour.

Related: road construction and closures, moving to Birmingham and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Does Birmingham have public transit?

Yes. MAX Transit runs fixed-route buses across Birmingham and Jefferson County, the Birmingham Xpress (BX) bus rapid transit line from Woodlawn to the CrossPlex, and the Magic City Connector on 20th Street.

How do I get to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport without a car?

The city’s Birmingham On-Demand service, booked in the Via app, covers an East Side and Airport Zone as well as a City Center Zone.

Can I rent a bike or scooter in Birmingham?

Yes. The city has partnered with Veo and Lime. Download either app to rent. Riding on sidewalks is not allowed, and helmets are encouraged but not required.

Who do I call about a broken parking meter in Birmingham?

Report it to 311 at 205-254-2489 or online. Questions about on-street parking go to the Department of Transportation at 205-254-2450.