Origin
Decatur, AL
Morning in Decatur on Tuesday
Local time
8:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Decatur, AL to Madison, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
23m
Distance
16.7 mi
27 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 27m
8 PM
0h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling between Decatur and Madison is a quick, straightforward journey covering just 16.8 miles in the Southeast. You can easily complete this drive in about 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $3, it is an incredibly economical route that requires zero mandatory stops along the way. Because both cities are located within Alabama, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the entire excursion. This drive is ideal if you are looking for a simple, efficient connection between these two hubs without the need for an overnight stay.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 565 | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| Huntsville-Decatur Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| 6th Avenue Northeast | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Sullivan Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Lee Street Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Wall Triana Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 565
— 8.8 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on this road
426 ft
·
36 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
164 ft
·
8 sec
·
Ferry Street Northeast
3
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lee Street Northeast
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
6th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Toward Huntsville
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 9
Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork
467 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 9
Toward Madison
Use the left lane.
9
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sullivan Street
11
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
12
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Church Street
13
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 14.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Ferry Street Northeast
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lee Street Northeast
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
At end of road, turn left onto US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
14.5 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
9
14.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 9
Toward Madison
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.52 one way
$5.04 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $2.77 | $5.54 |
| premium | $4.56 | $3.00 | $5.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.69 | $7.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.75 | $0.80 |
| Efficient EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.46 | $0.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.34 | $1.07 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Madison, AL
Morning in Madison on Tuesday
Local time
8:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
23m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate through city streets, utilizing Ferry Street Northeast, Lee Street Northeast, and 6th Avenue Northeast to reach your destination. Because the entire 16.8-mile stretch is composed of local roads, you should prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace behind the wheel. The absence of long, uninterrupted highway stretches means you will be actively managing turns for the duration of your 21-minute trip. It is a practical, no-frills transit that keeps you engaged with local infrastructure.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 8.8 mi on I 565.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ferry Street Northeast.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.7 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Ferry Street Northeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (Lee Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Decatur, AL and Madison, AL, road signs point toward Huntsville and Wall-Triana Highway.
Huntsville
2.6 mi in
|
~5m
|
via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Wall-Triana Highway
14.5 mi in
|
~18m
About the Cities
Arriving in Madison, AL
Full guide →Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is situated on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. As the anchor of the Greater Madison Area, it is home to the University of Wisconsin — Madison, one of the premier universities in the United States. It is a vibrant city known for its natural beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and academic excellence. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the city's many museums and art galleries. The city is also known for its diverse and delicious food options.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 23m. Total distance: 16.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 8.8 miles on I 565. 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 Madison, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Ferry Street Northeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (Lee Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Madison, AL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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