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Trip from Graysville, AL to Huntsville, AL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 59m

Distance

106.3 mi

171 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 51m ★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 17m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 4m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 16m
8 PM
1h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Graysville, AL, AL

Graysville, AL

Mark Stebnicki

county seat of Madison County, Alabama, United States

Huntsville, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Graysville to Huntsville is 106.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 59 minutes via I-65 and I-565, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Alabama drive heads north through the Southeast region, primarily on interstate highways. With a 95% highway share and a relatively short duration, it’s a straightforward trip suitable for a single day. You'll find this route efficient for getting between these two points without much fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

53.2 miles from Graysville, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 73.5 mi 1h 18m
I 565 18.9 mi 20m
I 22 8.4 mi 8m
1st Avenue Southeast 1.2 mi 2m
South Main Street 0.6 mi 1m
Jefferson Street North 0.5 mi 1m
Cherry Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Spring Street Southwest <0.1 mi

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: I 65 — 73.5 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Graysville, AL and Huntsville, AL.

1

Start on South Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
2

Turn right onto 1st Avenue Southeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue Southeast
3

Continue on Cherry Avenue

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Cherry Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
5

Merge onto I 22

8.4 mi · 8 min · I 22
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Toward Huntsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 65

74 mi · 1 hr 18 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

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.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 340A Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
11

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

19 mi · 20 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
13

Continue on this road

395 ft · 9 sec · this road
Exit 19C Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
14

Keep slight right at fork

343 ft · 8 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North

0.5 mi · 1 min · Jefferson Street North
16

Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest

4 ft · 0 sec · Spring Street Southwest
17

Arrive at destination

Spring Street Southwest

Trip Plan

Since this is a single-day trip of under 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Graysville in the morning allows you to arrive in Huntsville with plenty of the day to spare. With only a 106.3-mile distance, you likely won't need extensive stops, but there are ample opportunities along I-65 for fuel and rest if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the 73.5-mile stretch on I-65, to ensure a smooth 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.2 miles from Graysville, AL, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 23 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 53.2 miles or 1h 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 38m

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 Graysville, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Graysville, AL

This is one driving day of about 106.3 miles and 1h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Graysville, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 73.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and county seat of Cullman County, Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cullman, AL

53 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.

Popular next leg

Cullman, AL to Huntsville, AL

54.3 mi · 1h 1m

Pacing Suggestions

Kimberly, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cullman, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.2 miles from Graysville, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Makers Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Morris, Alabama

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.8

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

Visit website

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Madison, Alabama

2.3 mi

The Ville Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adamsville, Alabama

3 mi

Jack's Family Restaurant

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Adamsville, Alabama

Hours: 4 am–10 pm

+12056746543

Visit website

Alamitos Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.2

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12567348020

Visit website

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.6

Decatur, Alabama

+12563069992

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+12057148066

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.6

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12565849724

Visit website

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.6

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Makers Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.8

Morris, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

Visit website

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 98.7

Madison, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12564891223

Visit website

The Ville Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Adamsville, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 106.3

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 106.3

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 98.7

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 98.7

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 98.7

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 98.7

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Clipper Creek Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 98.7

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 76

Hartselle, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

WildWater Cullman

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 53.2

Cullman, Alabama

+18338389453

Visit website

Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 106.3

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18008430468

Kids Kingdom

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 98.7

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12563872194

Visit website

Dublin Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 98.7

Madison, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12567729300

Visit website

Sportsman Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 53.2

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12567343052

Visit website

Rickwood Caverns State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 30.4

Warrior, Alabama

+12056479692

Visit website

Ave Maria Grotto

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 53.2

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12567344110

Visit website

Monte Sano State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 106.3

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12565343757

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 105.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
10.7 mi into trip | ~14m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
7
11.7 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Huntsville
8
85.8 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
86.1 mi into trip | ~1h 36m 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
105.8 mi into trip | ~1h 58m 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

$16.05 one way

$32.11 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $17.62 $35.25
premium $4.56 $19.08 $38.16
diesel $5.61 $23.47 $46.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.9 0 $11.16 $5.10
Efficient EV 26.6 0 $9.30 $4.25
EV Truck/SUV 42.5 0 $14.88 $6.80

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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 18, 2026

Origin

Graysville, AL

Afternoon in Graysville on Sunday

Local time

12:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Huntsville, AL

Afternoon in Huntsville on Sunday

Local time

12:35 PM

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

16 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

1h 59m 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

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 ~10 min detour Free near mile 11
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of your journey, with 95% of the route on interstates like I-65 and I-565. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.5 miles on I-65, offering a chance to settle in for a solid period. This drive is characterized by its speed and efficiency, designed to get you to your destination quickly. While the profile is predominantly highway, the transition between major interstates is seamless.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.5 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 10.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 106.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 10.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Huntsville, AL

Full guide →

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.

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 1h 59m. Total distance: 106.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 59m 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 73.5 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.

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 10.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.8 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Huntsville, 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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