Level Plains, AL to Madison, AL is 268.1 miles and takes about 5h 20m via I 65 and US 231, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Alabama. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's well-suited for a single day of travel. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated journey.
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
134.1 miles from Level Plains, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
167.9 mi
3h 3m
US 231
43.2 mi
52m
Neil Metcalf Road
22.8 mi
34m
I 565
8.4 mi
9m
AL 167
7.6 mi
11m
US 84
3.1 mi
4m
Boll Weevil Circle
3.1 mi
4m
I 85
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 167.9 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Level Plains, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on Joe Bruer Road
54 ft·5 sec·Joe Bruer Road
2
Turn right onto County Road 1
409 ft·19 sec·County Road 1
3
Turn right onto US 84; AL 134
3.1 mi·4 min·US 84; AL 134
4
Turn right onto US 84; AL 167
3.1 mi·4 min·Boll Weevil Circle
5
Turn right onto AL 167
1.9 mi·2 min·Neal Metcalf Road
6
Continue on AL 167
23 mi·34 min·Neil Metcalf Road
7
Turn slight left onto AL 167
7.6 mi·11 min·AL 167
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 231; AL 10
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi·2 min·US 231; AL 10
12
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi·3 min·US 231
13
Continue on US 231
36 mi·42 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Carter Hill Road
16
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
17
Turn right onto Ann Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Ann Street
18
Turn left
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann Street SouthUse the left lane.
19
Merge onto I 85
2.5 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
21
Merge onto I 65; US 82
168 mi·3 hr 3 min·I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 340Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 340AToward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
24
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
8.4 mi·9 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 9Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
26
Keep slight left at fork
467 ft·9 sec
Exit 9Toward MadisonUse the left lane.
27
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi·27 sec·Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Sullivan Street
29
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
30
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Church Street
31
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of around 5 hours and 20 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample time and avoid late-night driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 168 miles on I 65, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the $41 fuel cost in mind. There's one designated stop, so make it count for stretching your legs or grabbing a quick bite before continuing your drive to Madison.
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 134.1 miles from Level Plains, AL, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.9 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 59 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.1 miles or 2h 51m 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 24m
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 Level Plains, 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 Level Plains, AL
This is one driving day of about 268.1 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Level Plains, 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 167.9 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 85.5 and 266.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
85.5 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Turn left toward Ann Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street South
8
256.5 mi into trip|~5h 4m 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
256.9 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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...
6
265.8 mi into trip|~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
9
266.1 mi into trip|~5h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 9
Toward Madison
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.49 one way
$80.98 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$44.45
$88.90
premium
$4.56
$48.12
$96.24
diesel
$5.61
$59.19
$118.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.15
$12.87
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.46
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Level Plains, AL
Night
in Level Plains on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Madison, AL
Night
in Madison on Saturday
Local time
11:36 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
17 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
5h 20m 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
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 175.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 167.9 miles on I 65, offering a consistent pace. While the primary roads are I 65 and US 231, Neil Metcalf Road is also part of the itinerary, suggesting a brief transition to more local thoroughfares. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 167.9 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 85.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 268.1 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 85.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 256.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Level Plains, AL to Madison, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.
Ann Street South
85.5 mi in|~1h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 268.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 167.9 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 Madison, 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 85.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 256.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Madison, AL before the return drive.
