Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
27m
Distance
17.5 mi
28 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Athens, AL
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion between Madison and Athens, Alabama, you are looking at a brief 17.5-mile journey that typically takes about 27 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, as the distance is short enough that you will not need an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $3 on fuel for the round trip, making it an incredibly budget-friendly commute within the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes US Highway 72, County Line Road, and Mill Road to connect these two Alabama hubs. Because the transit time is so minimal, this path offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for business or a casual visit.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 72 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| County Line Road | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Mill Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Jefferson Street South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Church Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Athens, AL.
Start on Church Street
Turn left onto Mill Road
Turn right onto County Line Road
Turn left onto US 72
Turn right onto Jefferson Street South
Arrive at destination
4 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 16.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Mill Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto County Line Road
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 72 / US Highway 72
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Jefferson Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$2.64 one way
$5.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $2.90 | $5.80 |
| premium | $4.56 | $3.14 | $6.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.86 | $7.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.84 | $0.84 |
| Efficient EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.53 | $0.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7 | 0 | $2.45 | $1.12 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Madison on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Athens on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 64 percent of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the bulk of your time on US Highway 72, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 11.2 miles. As you transition from the main highway onto smaller thoroughfares like County Line Road and Mill Road, the pace of the drive shifts from a fast-moving transit to a more localized feel. Navigating these segments requires you to stay alert as you move between the different road types. Overall, the drive feels efficient and direct, lacking the complex turns or technical maneuvers found on more rural or mountainous paths.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 72 and County Line Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mill Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 27m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Mill Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (County Line Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 72 / US Highway 72): Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
295 ft
Total Descent
281 ft
Highest Point
744 ft
~5.1 mi in
Elevation Range
100 ft
Athens is a city of 27,000 people (2016) in northern Alabama, USA about 15 miles south of the Tennessee border and 20 miles west of Huntsville. It is the county seat of Limestone county. The city’s proximity to transportation, recreational facilities, and educational centers make it a vibrant spot today. The rich soil has provided for a strong agricultural base, and for recreational opportunities. The Swan Creek Greenway offers hiking, a covered bridge, and access to an archery course.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 27m. Total distance: 17.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Straightforward navigation.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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