This 96.3-mile drive from Fairfield, Alabama, to Madison, Alabama, is an easy one-day trip, taking just under 2 hours to complete. You'll primarily be on major interstates, making it a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this distance. Given its short duration and highway focus, this route is ideal for a quick getaway or a convenient transfer between these two locations within the Southeast region. You won't need to worry about splitting this drive over multiple days.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.1 miles from Fairfield, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
78.6 mi
1h 25m
I 565
8.4 mi
9m
I 20
4.5 mi
4m
Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
2m
Valley Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Avenue I
0.3 mi
<1m
Church Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 78.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on 52nd Street
165 ft·12 sec·52nd Street
2
Turn left onto Avenue E
366 ft·16 sec·Avenue E
3
Continue on Farrell Avenue
0.2 mi·48 sec·Farrell Avenue
4
Turn right onto Valley Road
0.5 mi·49 sec·Valley Road
5
Turn slight left onto Avenue I
0.3 mi·33 sec·Avenue I
6
Turn right
236 ft·10 sec
7
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
8
Merge onto I 20; I 59
4.5 mi·4 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
149 ft·3 sec
Exit 124CToward I 65 North: Huntsville
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·25 sec·this road
Exit 124BToward I 65 North: Huntsville
11
Merge onto I 65
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 340AToward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
14
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
8.4 mi·9 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 9Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork
467 ft·9 sec
Exit 9Toward MadisonUse the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi·27 sec·Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Sullivan Street
19
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
20
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Church Street
21
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 49-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the worst of any local rush hour traffic in the Birmingham or Huntsville areas. With no designated stops, you can easily pull over for fuel or a quick break whenever needed, though you might only need one stop for the entire 96.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 78.6-mile stretch on I 65, to ensure you don't need to exit unexpectedly.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.1 miles from Fairfield, AL, or about 54m 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 21 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.1 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairfield, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairfield, AL
This is one driving day of about 96.3 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Fairfield, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 1.4 and 94.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
85 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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...
6
94 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
94.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
$14.54 one way
$29.09 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.97
$31.93
premium
$4.56
$17.28
$34.57
diesel
$5.61
$21.26
$42.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.9
0
$10.11
$4.62
Efficient EV
24.1
0
$8.43
$3.85
EV Truck/SUV
38.5
0
$13.48
$6.16
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Fairfield, AL
Late night
in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, AL
Late night
in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
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
1h 49m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 95% of this 96.3-mile route. The majority of your travel will be on interstates, offering a consistent and efficient pace. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 78.6 miles on I 65, so be prepared for a significant period of uninterrupted driving. While primarily interstate, the transition to I 565 will guide you towards your destination. This drive prioritizes speed and directness over varied scenery.
95% 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?
8/10
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 1.4 miles in near I 20; I 59.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.4 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fairfield, AL to Madison, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Huntsville along the way.
Huntsville
84.7 mi in|~1h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 96.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). 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 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 1.4 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Madison, AL before heading back.
