Origin
Fayetteville, AL
Morning in Fayetteville on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fayetteville, 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
2h 57m
Distance
137.6 mi
221 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fayetteville, AL
Kelly
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fayetteville, AL to Madison, AL is 137.6 miles and takes about 2h 57m via I 65 and US 231, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward, highway-focused drive will take you across Alabama, keeping you within the Southeast region throughout your journey. With a driving time under three hours, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a quick and efficient journey primarily on major roadways.
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
68.8 miles from Fayetteville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 77.2 mi | 1h 23m |
| US 231 | 32.7 mi | 43m |
| Childersburg Fayetteville Highway | 10.6 mi | 25m |
| I 565 | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Carraway Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Sullivan Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Finley Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on Childersburg Fayetteville Highway
11 mi
·
25 min
·
Childersburg Fayetteville Highway
2
Turn left onto US 231; US 280; AL 76
33 mi
·
43 min
·
US 231; US 280; AL 76
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
4
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on US 31
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carraway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn left onto AL 378
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Finley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto 19th Street North
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
19th Street North
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 65 North
9
Merge onto I 65
77 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 340
Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 340A
Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
12
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 9
Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork
467 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 9
Toward Madison
Use the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sullivan Street
17
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
18
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Church Street
19
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under three hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though an early morning start will help you maximize your day. Since the longest stretch without a planned stop is over 77 miles, consider taking a break shortly after getting onto I 65 to ensure you're comfortable for the remainder of the drive. Fuel costs are estimated at $21, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Fayetteville, as services might be more spaced out on certain highway segments. This route is designed for efficiency, so focus on a smooth, uninterrupted journey.
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 68.8 miles from Fayetteville, AL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 30 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.8 miles or 1h 40m 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 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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, AL
This is one driving day of about 137.6 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Fayetteville, 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 77.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.8 miles from Fayetteville, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 43.3 and 135.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
43.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
8
126 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
126.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
135.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m 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
135.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m 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
$20.78 one way
$41.56 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $22.81 | $45.62 |
| premium | $4.56 | $24.70 | $49.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.38 | $60.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.45 | $6.60 |
| Efficient EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.04 | $5.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55 | 0 | $19.26 | $8.81 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Birmingham, AL
69 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
2 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
2h 57m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 47.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a largely highway-focused drive, with 88% of the route utilizing major highways like I 65 and US 231. You'll experience a significant stretch of 77.2 miles on I 65, offering a consistent pace. While the Childersburg Fayetteville Highway provides a change of pace, the majority of your time will be spent on well-maintained, high-speed roads. Expect a straightforward driving experience with minimal distractions, perfect for covering ground quickly.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.2 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.3 miles in near US 280.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 137.6 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 43.3 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.3 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.
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 Fayetteville, AL to Madison, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Huntsville along the way.
Huntsville
126 mi in
|
~2h 42m
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 2h 57m. Total distance: 137.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.2 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.
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 43.3 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.3 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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