Huntsville to Mount Vernon is 304.2 miles and takes about 6h 16m via State Route 5 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its predominantly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive with minimal detours. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a good option for a direct trip across the state.
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
152.1 miles from Huntsville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 5
97.4 mi
2h 19m
I 65
77.4 mi
1h 23m
US 43
67.9 mi
1h 18m
I 20
26.9 mi
29m
I 565
18.9 mi
20m
Jefferson Davis Highway
4.3 mi
6m
Broad Street
3.8 mi
5m
US 11
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
State Route 5
— 97.4 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-565
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 150 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,094 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,711
Quietest
1 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville, AL and Mount Vernon, 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 1Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse 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 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 261CToward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
17
Merge onto I 20; I 59
27 mi·29 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 11; AL 5
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 11; AL 5
Exit 97Toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, CentrevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 11; AL 5
3.2 mi·5 min·US 11; AL 5
20
Turn left onto AL 5
19 mi·26 min·State Route 5
Use the straight lane.
21
Enter roundabout onto AL 5
225 ft·7 sec·State Route 5
22
Continue on AL 5
50 mi·1 hr 10 min·State Route 5
23
Continue on AL 5
4.3 mi·6 min·Jefferson Davis Highway
24
Continue on AL 5
21 mi·31 min·State Route 5
25
Continue on AL 5
3.8 mi·5 min·Broad Street
26
Continue on AL 5
7.5 mi·11 min·State Route 5
27
Continue on US 43
68 mi·1 hr 18 min·US 43
28
Turn left onto Military Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Military Road
29
Arrive at destination
Military Road
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Huntsville in the morning to make the most of the daylight for this 6h 16m drive. With a total distance of 304.2 miles, it's comfortably achievable in a single day, but consider a brief stop if you need a break. The fuel cost is estimated around $45, so ensure you have enough for the trip. Pay attention to highway transitions, especially as you move between State Route 5 and I-65, to maintain your pace.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.1 miles from Huntsville, AL, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 67 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.1 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Vernon, 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 304.2 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 State Route 5 for about 97.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.1 and 127.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|US 11; AL 5
Take the exit onto US 11; AL 5 toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, Centreville
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 97
Toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, C...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.56 one way
$93.13 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$51.57
$103.14
premium
$4.65
$55.68
$111.36
diesel
$6.28
$75.16
$150.33
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: 106.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.3
1
$31.94
$14.60
Efficient EV
76.1
0
$26.62
$12.17
EV Truck/SUV
121.7
1
$42.59
$19.47
Gas CO2
106 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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Huntsville, AL
Late night
in Huntsville on Saturday
Local time
5:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 23 at 3:13AM CDT until October 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Mount Vernon, AL
Late night
in Mount Vernon on Saturday
Local time
5:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 23 at 3:13AM CDT until October 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
3 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
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 104.9
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 96% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 97.4 miles on State Route 5 before transitioning to I-65. Expect a consistent cruising experience on these highways, with the surface road portion making up only a small segment of the total distance.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.4 mi on State Route 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 5 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 304.2 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 20.1 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; at 95.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
746 ft36 ft
Total Climb
685 ft
Total Descent
1,293 ft
Highest Point
746 ft
~43.5 mi in
Elevation Range
710 ft
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 Mount Vernon, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale, Montgomery and Centreville.
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.
Top landmarks
•U.S. Space & Rocket Center — science museum in Huntsville, Alabama
•Episcopal Church of the Nativity — church building in Alabama, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 304.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.4 miles on State Route 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Mount Vernon, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 95.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mount Vernon, AL before the return drive.
