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Trip from Huntsville, AL to Atmore, AL

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

Drive Time

5h 40m

Distance

309 mi

497 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 28m ★
6 AM
5h 41m
8 AM
6h 7m
10 AM
5h 50m
12 PM
5h 47m
3 PM
5h 51m
5 PM
6h 6m
8 PM
5h 33m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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county seat of Madison County, Alabama, United States

Huntsville, AL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Escambia County, Alabama, USA

Atmore, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 309-mile drive from Huntsville, AL, to Atmore, AL, will take approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 99% of the journey on major roads like I-65, I-565, and AL-21, so you can expect a consistent pace. With an estimated fuel cost of $47, it's an economical option for traversing Alabama. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll be staying within familiar territory. This straightforward drive is ideal for those who want to cover ground efficiently without much fuss.

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

154.5 miles from Huntsville, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 280.1 mi 5h 4m
I 565 18.9 mi 20m
AL 21 6.3 mi 9m
Washington Street Northeast 0.5 mi <1m
West Side Square <0.1 mi <1m
East Side Square <0.1 mi <1m
South Side Square <0.1 mi <1m
Washington Street Southeast <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 280.1 mi, about 5h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Spring Street Southwest

4 ft · 3 sec · Spring Street Southwest
2

Turn right onto West Side Square

376 ft · 16 sec · West Side Square
3

Continue on South Side Square

369 ft · 16 sec · South Side Square
4

Turn left onto East Side Square

371 ft · 9 sec · East Side Square
5

Continue on Washington Street Southeast

364 ft · 9 sec · Washington Street Southeast
6

Continue on Washington Street Northeast

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Washington Street Northeast
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
8

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

19 mi · 20 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 1 Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 1 Toward I 65 South: Birmingham Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 65

74 mi · 1 hr 18 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 38 sec
Exit 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis Use the straight lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Toward Montgomery Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 65

206 mi · 3 hr 45 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 57 Toward SR 21: Atmore, Uriah
17

Turn left onto AL 21

6.3 mi · 9 min · AL 21
18

Arrive at destination

AL 21

Trip Plan

For this straightforward 5-hour and 40-minute drive, starting early in the morning will allow you to reach Atmore with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch of 280.1 miles on I-65, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on that extended segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $47, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Huntsville. Since this is a single-day journey, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is crucial for such a highway-intensive route.

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 154.5 miles from Huntsville, AL, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 280.1 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 68 miles or 1h 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.5 miles or 2h 49m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atmore, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, AL

This is one driving day of about 309 miles and 5h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Huntsville, 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 280.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Thorsby, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Thorsby, AL

155 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

Hayden, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Thorsby, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.5 miles from Huntsville, 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 280.1 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 Restaurant

Habaneros Mexican Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hoover, Alabama

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.4

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12053267170

Top Coffee Stop

Galleria Coffee 168

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hoover, Alabama

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.4

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12055414348

Habaneros Mexican Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.4

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12053267170

Panda Express

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 110.4

Hoover, AL

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12054032879

Visit website

China King

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 176.6

Millbrook, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13342900008

Visit website

Hooters

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.4

Pelham, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+12056829464

Visit website

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Decatur, Alabama

+12563069992

Logan's Roadhouse

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 176.6

Prattville, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13342859900

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12565849724

Visit website

Galleria Coffee 168

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.4

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12055414348

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.4

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–4:30 pm

+12057689732

Visit website

Makers Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.3

Morris, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

Visit website

FLO Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 309

Atmore, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883568911

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 264.9

Evergreen, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 110.4

Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 176.6

Prattville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Aldridge Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 110.4

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+12057396558

Visit website

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 132.4

Calera, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+12056683435

Visit website

Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18008430468

Moss Rock Preserve

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 110.4

Hoover, Alabama

+12057397141

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 110.4

Meadowbrook, Alabama

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12054447777

Visit website

Monte Sano State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12565343757

Visit website

North Alabama Railroad Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12568516276

Visit website

Let's Play Hoover

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 110.4

Hoover, Alabama

+12057188993

Visit website

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 20 and 95.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
20 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 1 Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
8
20.1 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 1 Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
8
94.6 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
95.1 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
95.6 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Montgomery

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.67 one way

$93.33 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $51.23 $102.46
premium $4.56 $55.46 $110.92
diesel $5.61 $68.22 $136.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 92.7 1 $32.45 $14.83
Efficient EV 77.3 0 $27.04 $12.36
EV Truck/SUV 123.6 1 $43.26 $19.78

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Huntsville, AL

Evening in Huntsville on Saturday

Local time

8:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Atmore, AL

Evening in Atmore on Saturday

Local time

8:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°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

22 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

5h 40m 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

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 95.9
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 experience for the vast majority of this trip, with 99% of the 309 miles on main roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-65, including one uninterrupted stretch of 280.1 miles. While the route is predominantly interstate, the transition from I-565 to I-65 and eventually AL-21 will offer slight variations in the driving environment. This drive is designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic byways, allowing you to maintain a consistent speed for most of the journey.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 280.1 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 20 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 309 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 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.

Between Huntsville, AL and Atmore, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale and Montgomery.

Nashville

20 mi in | ~22m

Fultondale

94.6 mi in | ~1h 43m

Montgomery

95.6 mi in | ~1h 44m

About the Cities

Starting 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 5h 40m. Total distance: 309 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 40m 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 280.1 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 Atmore, 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 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Atmore, AL before the return drive.

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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