Spanning 117.5 miles across Alabama, this trip from Madison to Bynum is a straightforward journey that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes of drive time, making it an ideal choice if you want to reach your destination without the fatigue of a multi-day trek. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it is an economical excursion that keeps your travel expenses low. The route stays entirely within the Southeast region, ensuring a consistent environment as you navigate from Madison down to Bynum. Because this is a compact trip, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
58.8 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governors Drive Southwest
36.3 mi
45m
Florida Short Route
28.1 mi
40m
Chastain Boulevard East
18.7 mi
22m
West Meighan Boulevard
9 mi
15m
Bynum Leatherwood Road
6.4 mi
9m
I 565
5.2 mi
5m
Madison Boulevard
2.6 mi
3m
Gunter Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Governors Drive Southwest
— 36.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Bynum, AL.
1
Start on Church Street
70 ft·3 sec·Church Street
2
Turn right onto Mill Road
0.3 mi·47 sec·Mill Road
3
Turn right onto Hughes Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Hughes Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Madison Boulevard
2.6 mi·3 min·Madison Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
5.2 mi·5 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·26 sec·this road
Exit 19AToward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
9
Merge onto US 231; US 431
0.4 mi·32 sec·Memorial Parkway Southwest
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 431
Toward Governors DriveUse the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 431
36 mi·45 min·Governors Drive Southwest
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 431; AL 79
2.5 mi·4 min·Gunter Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 431
28 mi·40 min·Florida Short Route
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest
0.5 mi·53 sec·4th Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest
1.4 mi·3 min·5th Avenue Northwest
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 278; US 431
9.0 mi·15 min·West Meighan Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 431
19 mi·22 min·Chastain Boulevard East
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto CR 109
0.3 mi·29 sec·Bynum Leatherwood Road
19
Enter roundabout onto CR 109
128 ft·2 sec·Bynum Leatherwood Road
20
Continue on CR 109
5.3 mi·7 min·Bynum Leatherwood Road
21
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 109
0.8 mi·1 min·Bynum Leatherwood Road
22
Turn right onto AL 202
1.3 mi·2 min·Albert P Brewer Highway
23
Turn right onto Old State Route 202
0.4 mi·34 sec·Old State Route 202
24
Turn right onto Bynum Boulevard
2.1 mi·3 min·Bynum Boulevard
25
Arrive at destination
Bynum Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous turns on local roads can be more taxing than interstate driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, though the $18 estimate should cover you comfortably for the full duration. Because you are avoiding major highways, be prepared for varying speed limits and local traffic patterns that might fluctuate more than they would on a standard interstate. Prioritize your route navigation before leaving Madison to ensure you stay on track through the winding local segments.
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 58.8 miles from Madison, AL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.3 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.8 miles or 1h 19m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bynum, 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 117.5 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 Governors Drive Southwest for about 36.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.9 and 107.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.9 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Par...
5
10.3 mi into trip|~14m in|US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest
Merge onto US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
10.7 mi into trip|~14m in|US 431
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431 toward Governors Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Governors Drive
6
78.4 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|5th Avenue Northwest
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
107.7 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|CR 109 / Bynum Leatherwood Road
Enter roundabout onto CR 109 / Bynum Leatherwood Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.75 one way
$35.49 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.48
$38.96
premium
$4.56
$21.09
$42.18
diesel
$5.61
$25.94
$51.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.3
0
$12.34
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.28
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.45
$7.52
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Madison, AL
Late night
in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bynum, AL
Late night
in Bynum on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
32 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
2h 44m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 113.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate using a series of local connectors, including Mill Road, Hughes Road, and Madison Boulevard, which keep you engaged behind the wheel. Because the drive relies on local roads, the pace is significantly slower and more technical than a typical highway sprint. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches here; instead, the character of the road changes frequently as you maneuver through local turn-heavy sections. Stay focused on your navigation, as the lack of highway infrastructure means you will be managing consistent turns throughout the entire 117.5-mile journey.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.3 mi on Governors Drive Southwest.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 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 16 significant decision points across 117.5 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 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles (US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (US 431): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 117.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.3 miles on Governors Drive Southwest. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Bynum, 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 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles (US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (US 431): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bynum, AL before heading back.
