This 305.6-mile journey from Flomaton, AL to Huntsville, AL is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 38 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-65 and I-565, with a brief stint on AL-113, this route is almost entirely highway, making for efficient travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, it's an economical option for traversing the Southeast region of Alabama. You'll experience a consistent driving profile for most of the trip, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 269.6 miles on I-65. This drive is well-suited for those who prefer to cover ground quickly and efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
152.8 miles from Flomaton, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
269.6 mi
4h 53m
I 565
18.9 mi
20m
AL 113
13.4 mi
16m
US 29
1 mi
2m
Palafox Street
0.6 mi
1m
Jefferson Street North
0.5 mi
1m
Ringold Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Houston Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 269.6 mi, about 4h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flomaton, AL and Huntsville, AL.
1
Start on Houston Street
116 ft·7 sec·Houston Street
2
Turn right onto Ringold Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Ringold Street
3
Turn left onto Palafox Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Palafox Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 29; US 31; AL 113
1.0 mi·2 min·US 29; US 31; AL 113
5
Turn left onto AL 113
13 mi·16 min·AL 113
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
7
Merge onto I 65
270 mi·4 hr 53 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 340AToward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
10
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
19 mi·20 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
12
Continue on this road
395 ft·9 sec·this road
Exit 19CToward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
13
Keep slight right at fork
343 ft·8 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North
0.5 mi·1 min·Jefferson Street North
15
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
4 ft·0 sec·Spring Street Southwest
16
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 38-minute duration, this trip is best tackled as a single-day drive. Aim for an early morning departure from Flomaton to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable arrival in Huntsville. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 269.6 miles on I-65, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the midpoint of your journey. The $46 fuel cost is manageable, but always check current prices. A concrete tip: keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the halfway point, as services can sometimes be less frequent on long interstate stretches.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.8 miles from Flomaton, AL, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.6 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 67 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.8 miles or 2h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 36m
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 Flomaton, 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 Flomaton, AL
This is one driving day of about 305.6 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Flomaton, 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 269.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 305.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Ringold Street
Turn right onto Ringold Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|US 29; US 31; AL 113
At end of road, turn right onto US 29; US 31; AL 113
Navigation decision point
8
285.1 mi into trip|~5h 14m 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
285.4 mi into trip|~5h 14m 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
305.1 mi into trip|~5h 36m 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
$46.15 one way
$92.31 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$50.66
$101.33
premium
$4.56
$54.85
$109.70
diesel
$5.61
$67.47
$134.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.7
1
$32.09
$14.67
Efficient EV
76.4
0
$26.74
$12.22
EV Truck/SUV
122.2
1
$42.78
$19.56
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Flomaton, AL
Evening
in Flomaton on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Huntsville, AL
Evening
in Huntsville on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Columbiana, AL
153 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
21 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
5h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 210.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-dominated experience on this 305.6-mile route, with 99% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-65 and I-565. The character of the drive is largely consistent, particularly during the extensive 269.6-mile segment on I-65. While AL-113 offers a slight variation, the overall feel is that of a focused, high-speed transit. This isn't a winding country road adventure; it's a practical path designed for efficient travel between Flomaton and Huntsville, Alabama. The road offers minimal distractions, allowing you to maintain a steady pace.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.6 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Ringold Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 305.6 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Ringold Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 29; US 31; AL 113): Navigation decision point; at 285.1 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 5h 38m. Total distance: 305.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 269.6 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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: near the start (Ringold Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 29; US 31; AL 113): Navigation decision point; at 285.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Huntsville, AL before the return drive.
