Spanning 151.7 miles across Alabama, this route from Centreville to Huntsville typically takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward trip that serves perfectly as a one-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the journey stays entirely within the Southeast region, you won’t encounter major shifts in climate or terrain. If you are looking for a practical way to connect these two Alabama hubs, this route is a manageable and efficient choice.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.7 miles from Centreville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
78.6 mi
1h 25m
I 565
18.9 mi
20m
State Route 5
13.2 mi
18m
Birmingham Road
5 mi
6m
AL 5
3 mi
4m
Walnut Street
1.1 mi
2m
AL 219
1 mi
1m
Montevallo Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 78.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centreville, AL and Huntsville, AL.
1
Start on Walnut Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto Valley Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Valley Street
3
Turn slight right onto AL 25; AL 219
0.7 mi·1 min·Montevallo Road
4
Take the ramp onto AL 219
1.0 mi·1 min·AL 219
Toward US 82:west: TuscaloosaUse the right lane.
5
Turn right onto AL 219
5.0 mi·6 min·Birmingham Road
6
Turn straight
0.1 mi·9 sec
Toward 5
7
Turn straight onto AL 5
13 mi·18 min·State Route 5
8
Turn slight right onto AL 5
3.0 mi·4 min·AL 5
9
Take the ramp
28 mi·29 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
149 ft·3 sec
Exit 124CToward I 65 North: Huntsville
11
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·25 sec·this road
Exit 124BToward I 65 North: Huntsville
12
Merge onto I 65
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 340Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 340AToward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
15
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
19 mi·20 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
17
Continue on this road
395 ft·9 sec·this road
Exit 19CToward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
18
Keep slight right at fork
343 ft·8 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North
0.5 mi·1 min·Jefferson Street North
20
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
4 ft·0 sec·Spring Street Southwest
21
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for a morning start helps you avoid potential congestion on local roads. Because there are no designated stops scheduled, ensure you have your fuel needs met before you begin the 151.7-mile trek. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more fatiguing than highway driving, so prioritize staying alert through the winding sections. A helpful tip is to double-check your GPS settings before leaving Centreville to ensure you stay on the intended path through the local road network.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.7 miles from Centreville, AL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 33 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.7 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Huntsville, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Centreville, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Centreville, AL
This is one driving day of about 151.3 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Centreville, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 78.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 150.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|AL 219
Take the ramp onto AL 219 toward US 82:west: Tuscaloosa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 82:west: Tuscaloosa
5
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Huntsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 124C
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
8
130.8 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 340
Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate:...
7
131.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 340A
Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsv...
9
150.7 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Jefferson Street, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Jefferson Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.85 one way
$45.70 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.08
$50.17
premium
$4.56
$27.16
$54.31
diesel
$5.61
$33.41
$66.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.4
0
$15.89
$7.26
Efficient EV
37.8
0
$13.24
$6.05
EV Truck/SUV
60.5
0
$21.18
$9.68
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Centreville, AL
Morning
in Centreville on Sunday
Local time
11:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Huntsville, AL
Morning
in Huntsville on Sunday
Local time
11:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Kimberly, AL
76 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
28 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this journey. Since the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local roads like Valley Street, Montevallo Road, and US 82. This configuration requires more focus behind the wheel, as you won't be settling into long, uninterrupted highway stretches. The road's personality is defined by its winding nature, which keeps the driving experience engaging and active. Be prepared to navigate through various local junctions as you transition from Centreville toward Huntsville.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.6 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near AL 219.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 151.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (AL 219): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 130.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Huntsville is in northern Alabama, about 20 miles (32 km) from the border with Tennessee. The city is a center for missile defense and aerospace technologies, with companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman having major operations here. Cummings Research Park, the second largest research park in the country, is home to many of these companies.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 151.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.6 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Huntsville, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (AL 219): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 130.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Huntsville, AL before heading back.
