Madison, AL to Blue Ridge, AL is 191.6 miles and takes about 3h 38m via I-65 and I-565, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to its own heartland. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single day of travel. Expect minimal complexity, making it a practical choice for a quick getaway or an efficient connection between these two points.
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
95.8 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
165.6 mi
3h
I 565
8.5 mi
9m
Northern Boulevard
6.3 mi
8m
Wetumpka Highway
3.3 mi
3m
Jasmine Hill Road
1.9 mi
4m
Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
2m
US 231
1 mi
1m
Church Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 165.6 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Blue Ridge, AL.
1
Start on Church Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·Church Street
2
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
3
Continue on Main Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Main Street
4
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Sullivan Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on Wall Triana Highway
454 ft·11 sec·Wall Triana Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward 565: Decatur
7
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alt
8.5 mi·9 min·I 565; US 72 Alt
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 65
74 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 65
92 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 173Toward AL 152 East: North Blvd
16
Continue on AL 152
6.3 mi·8 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: WetumpkaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
133 ft·5 sec
Toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: WetumpkaUse the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Wetumpka Highway
3.3 mi·3 min·Wetumpka Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 231; AL 21
1.0 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 21
21
Turn right onto Jasmine Hill Road
1.9 mi·4 min·Jasmine Hill Road
22
Arrive at destination
Jasmine Hill Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 38 minutes, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. The fuel cost is estimated at $29, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Madison, AL. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being over 165 miles, plan for a mid-drive break to stay comfortable. Keep an eye on I-65, as it's the backbone of this drive and often sees significant traffic.
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 95.8 miles from Madison, AL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.6 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 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.8 miles or 1h 46m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blue Ridge, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Madison, 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 Madison, AL
This is one driving day of about 191.6 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Madison, 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 165.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 185.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Sullivan Street
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
10.8 mi into trip|~14m 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
85.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
85.8 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
9
185.4 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: Wetumpka
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: Wetumpka
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.94 one way
$57.87 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.76
$63.53
premium
$4.56
$34.39
$68.78
diesel
$5.61
$42.30
$84.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.5
0
$20.12
$9.20
Efficient EV
47.9
0
$16.76
$7.66
EV Truck/SUV
76.6
0
$26.82
$12.26
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Madison, AL
Night
in Madison on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Blue Ridge, AL
Night
in Blue Ridge on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Hoover, AL
96 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
34 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 38m on the road
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 91% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-65 and I-565. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a 165.6-mile segment on I-65. The profile suggests a consistent pace, with the majority of your time spent on high-speed, limited-access highways. While Northern Boulevard is mentioned, the overall character remains focused on efficient travel rather than winding backroads.
91% 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: 165.6 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Sullivan Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 191.6 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 0.6 miles (Sullivan Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Between Madison, AL and Blue Ridge, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale and Montgomery.
Nashville
10.6 mi in|~13m
Fultondale
85.3 mi in|~1h 34m
Montgomery
86.3 mi in|~1h 35m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 191.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.6 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 Blue Ridge, 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 0.6 miles (Sullivan Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Blue Ridge, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
