Origin
Jacksonville, AL
Late night in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
4:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jacksonville, AL to Madison, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
107.4 mi
173 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksonville, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Jacksonville, AL to Madison, AL? This 107.4-mile drive is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, typically taking about 2 hours and 37 minutes. You'll primarily be navigating on US 431 and US 278, with a portion on what's referred to as the Florida Short Route. With a fuel cost estimated around $16, this highway-focused journey through Alabama's Southeast region is straightforward and efficient. It’s a practical choice for a quick transition between these two points, allowing for a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
53.7 miles from Jacksonville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 431 | 34.8 mi | 52m |
| US 278 | 28.1 mi | 40m |
| Florida Short Route | 22.4 mi | 26m |
| Nisbet Street Northwest | 9.6 mi | 16m |
| I 565 | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Madison Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Blount Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Hughes Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 431
— 34.8 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on AL 21
148 ft
·
3 sec
·
Public Square West
2
Turn left onto AL 21
462 ft
·
9 sec
·
Public Square East
3
Turn slight right onto AL 21
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pelham Road North
4
Turn left onto AL 204
9.6 mi
·
16 min
·
Nisbet Street Northwest
5
Turn right onto US 431
19 mi
·
29 min
·
US 431
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
4th Street Northwest
7
Turn slight right onto US 278; US 431
28 mi
·
40 min
·
US 278; US 431
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on US 431; AL 79
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Gunter Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto US 431; AL 79
319 ft
·
6 sec
·
May Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn slight left onto US 431; AL 79
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Blount Avenue
11
Continue on US 431; AL 79
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Paddle Wheel Drive
12
Continue on US 431; AL 79
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Florida Short Route
13
Continue on US 431
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Florida Short Route
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 431
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US 431
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-565 West: Decatur
16
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13
Toward Madison Boulevard
18
Continue on Madison Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Madison Boulevard
19
Turn right onto Hughes Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Hughes Road
20
Turn left onto Mill Road
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Mill Road
21
Turn left onto Church Street
70 ft
·
1 sec
·
Church Street
22
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 37-minute drive, leaving in the morning provides ample time to reach Madison, AL without feeling rushed. With only one stop noted, you have plenty of flexibility to break up the 107.4 miles as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $16. A specific tip for this route: be aware that US 431 is your longest uninterrupted stretch at 34.8 miles, so plan any brief pauses before or after this section.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 53.7 miles from Jacksonville, AL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.8 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 24 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.7 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, AL
This is one driving day of about 107.4 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Jacksonville, 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 US 431 for about 34.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.7 miles from Jacksonville, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 102.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 21 / Public Square East
Turn left onto AL 21 / Public Square East
Navigation decision point
6
10.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 431
Turn right onto US 431
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
29.7 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
4th Street Northwest
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
6
58.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
US 431; AL 79 / May Street
Turn right onto US 431; AL 79 / May Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
102.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward Madison Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 13
Toward Madison Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.22 one way
$32.44 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $17.81 | $35.61 |
| premium | $4.56 | $19.28 | $38.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.71 | $47.43 |
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: 37.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.28 | $5.16 |
| Efficient EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.40 | $4.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43 | 0 | $15.04 | $6.87 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Madison, AL
Late night in Madison on Tuesday
Local time
4:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 37m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans heavily towards highway driving, with 62% of the journey on such roads. Expect a fairly direct experience, punctuated by a longest continuous stretch of 34.8 miles along US 431. While not exclusively interstate, the profile is predominantly highway-focused, suggesting a good balance between speed and accessibility. You'll likely find the road progresses with a consistent character, making it predictable and easy to settle into.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.8 mi on US 431.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 431 and US 278. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AL 21 / Public Square East.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 107.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 (AL 21 / Public Square East): Navigation decision point; at 10.5 miles (US 431): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.7 miles (4th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Starting in Jacksonville, AL
Full guide →Jacksonville is a small college town in Metropolitan Alabama.
Arriving in Madison, AL
Full guide →Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is situated on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. As the anchor of the Greater Madison Area, it is home to the University of Wisconsin — Madison, one of the premier universities in the United States. It is a vibrant city known for its natural beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and academic excellence. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the city's many museums and art galleries. The city is also known for its diverse and delicious food options.
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 2h 37m. Total distance: 107.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m 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 34.8 miles on US 431. 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: near the start (AL 21 / Public Square East): Navigation decision point; at 10.5 miles (US 431): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.7 miles (4th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Madison, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Madison, AL
More trips to Madison, AL
Explore more options from Jacksonville, AL or browse trips ending in Madison, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.