Spanning 115 miles across Alabama, this direct route from Huntsville to Guin typically takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes to complete. Because the travel time is relatively short, you can easily handle this as a simple one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-565, the Andrew Jackson Highway, and AL 24, moving through the heart of the Southeast. Budgeting around $18 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Whether you are heading out for work or visiting friends, this straightforward highway-focused drive offers a reliable way to cross the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.5 miles from Huntsville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
AL 24
35.4 mi
42m
Andrew Jackson Highway
34.5 mi
42m
I 565
18.9 mi
20m
Gordon Terry Parkway
7.5 mi
9m
US 43
6.6 mi
9m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3.5 mi
4m
U.S. Highway 43
2.8 mi
3m
Moulton Street East
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
AL 24
— 35.4 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville, AL and Guin, 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
Continue on US 72 Alternate; SR 20
0.1 mi·8 sec·US 72 Alternate; SR 20
10
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.5 mi·4 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.6 mi·2 min·Bee Line Highway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
0.5 mi·1 min·6th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
2.2 mi·4 min·Moulton Street East
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on Gordon Terry Parkway
7.5 mi·9 min·Gordon Terry Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on AL 24
2.0 mi·2 min·AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on AL 24
33 mi·39 min·AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 43: Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Hamilton
18
Turn left onto US 43; AL 13; AL 17
6.7 mi·7 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
19
Turn right onto US 43; AL 17
6.6 mi·7 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
20
Continue on US 43; AL 17
2.8 mi·3 min·U.S. Highway 43
21
Continue on US 43; AL 17
21 mi·27 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 43; US 278; AL 171
6.6 mi·9 min·US 43; US 278; AL 171
23
Turn left onto US 43; AL 118; AL 171
53 ft·1 sec·US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 115-mile trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can complete the entire distance without any mandatory stops, as the duration is under two and a half hours. However, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is smart, as the $18 cost estimate assumes a steady pace. Given that the longest stretch is 35.4 miles on AL 24, ensure you are comfortable with extended highway driving before heading out. Prioritize leaving during off-peak hours to maintain a smooth, consistent rhythm throughout your trip.
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 57.5 miles from Huntsville, AL, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.5 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Guin, 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 115 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Huntsville, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on AL 24 for about 35.4 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 115 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Side Square
Turn left onto East Side Square
Navigation decision point
6
25.2 mi into trip|~29m in|US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
25.7 mi into trip|~31m in|Moulton Street East
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 43: Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Hamilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 43: Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Hami...
6
115 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Turn left onto US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.37 one way
$34.74 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.07
$38.13
premium
$4.56
$20.64
$41.28
diesel
$5.61
$25.39
$50.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.5
0
$12.08
$5.52
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.06
$4.60
EV Truck/SUV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Huntsville, AL
Late night
in Huntsville on Sunday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Guin, AL
Late night
in Guin on Sunday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Russellville, AL
58 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by efficient transit, as 62% of your journey consists of highway driving. The route feels purposeful and direct, moving you steadily from Huntsville toward your destination. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.4 miles while navigating AL 24, which requires focused attention as you transition between different road types. While the profile is heavily highway-focused, the shifting road classifications keep the pace varied. This is a practical drive designed for getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.4 mi on AL 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 24 and Andrew Jackson Highway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Side Square.
Driving Effort5/10
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 115 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (East Side Square): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.7 miles (Moulton Street East): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Guin, AL, road signs point toward Muscle Shoals and Hamilton.
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 2h 23m. Total distance: 115 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.4 miles on AL 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Side Square): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.7 miles (Moulton Street East): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Guin, AL before heading back.
