Cities with RV Parks are shown in blue type.
The other listed cities on I-20, in green type
are included for orientation.

I-20 and ALABAMA

ALABAMA — It was only 171 miles across Mississippi, quite a contrast with Texas. Now you're in Alabama and you will see an increase in evergreens. We're approaching the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. A little trivia; in Louisiana and Mississippi US-80 meandered back and forth across I-20. US-80 is gone, now, well south of us and our new companion is US-11 — one of the longest north-south US highways still being maintained. If you get bored, try getting off the Interstate and follow the US highway. You will find many interesting things along the way — and some very good eating spots that aren't national franchises.
A little east of milepost 36 you'll cross the Tombigee River. Maybe it doesn't look like much but this a a very famous, historically, river. Further downstream it was a prime means of transport in the 19th century and before. That frequently featured steamboat of the movie world, the Robert E Lee, really did exist and steamed up and down the Tombigee carrying cotton and merchandise. This area is also covered with swamps from which much timber was hauled the hard way. These folks really had to work hard but it also churned out real men.
Some thirty miles further you encounter the Black Warrior River and Tuscaloosa. The names Black Warrior and Tuscaloosa have a lot in common: Black Warrior is the English translation of the Choctaw tashka (warrior) and lusa (black). The river, with the Tombigee, were the prime media of transportation and link between

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Birmingham and Mobile in the 18th and early 19th Centuries and for the Native Americans (particularly the Choctaw) for centuries earlier. There is much to see and do in Tusacaloosa if you're looking for an excuse to get out of the driver's seat. We'll refer you to the Travel Bureau's web site for more information: TCVB.ORG.
Birmingham is a megapolis and I-20 is routed right through the middle of it. Fortunately there is an excellent way around it: I-459. Interstate 65 also is also routed through Birmingham, — another of our favorite Interstates. Years ago when you approached Birmingham from Atlanta you could look down on it from the pass (about 980 feet elevation) and see a virtual rainbow of smoke pouring out of the many chimneys. The colors represented were awesome. Birmingham has been cleaned up (mostly) since then but it is still a great view. I-459 meets I-20 just east of this spot so, if you are eastbound, you might want to go east on I-20 to exit 135 (which is THE spot), loop around and head back east on I-20.
At milepost 163 you'll be crossing the Coosa River impoundment (called Logan Martin Lake here). Oxford and Anniston at exit 185 were the home of Ft McClellan, one of the many military reservations closed by the budget crunch. At exit 191 is US-431 which is the best (only?) access to Cheaha State Park and the Skyway. Cheaha Mountain at 2407 feet is the tallest in Alabama. And, finally, after 214 miles you enter Georgia.

contributed by Bob Masters

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American Interstate System Alabama Directory of RV Parks near I-20 Exits (from West to East)

I-20 and ALABAMA

American Interstate System
Alabama Directory
of
RV Parks near I-20 Exits
(from West to East)