If you are planning a trip from Madison to Center Point, you are looking at a 270.8-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 32 minutes. Since this route is contained entirely within Alabama, you will stay firmly within the Southeast region for the duration of your travel. With a total fuel cost estimated at $41, this trip is highly manageable as a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via I-20, I-65, and AL-69, making it a very straightforward drive for those who prefer sticking to major thoroughfares. Because the duration is under six hours, you can comfortably complete the drive in one day without needing to book an overnight stay.
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
135.4 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
78.9 mi
1h 25m
I 65
77.4 mi
1h 23m
AL 69
49.2 mi
1h 13m
Demopolis Highway
24 mi
34m
US 43
17.2 mi
19m
I 565
8.5 mi
9m
US 11
4.6 mi
6m
AL 154
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 78.9 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-565
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,277 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Center Point, 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
3.7 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 261CToward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward UnionUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto CR 208
1.3 mi·3 min·M L King Highway
19
Merge onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·US 11; US 43
20
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
21
Merge onto US 43; AL 14
0.3 mi·33 sec·Greensboro Street
22
Turn slight right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·Demopolis Highway
23
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
24
Turn right onto US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·North Cedar Avenue
25
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
1.0 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
26
Turn right onto US 43
16 mi·18 min·US 43
27
Turn right onto AL 69
49 mi·1 hr 13 min·AL 69
28
Turn left onto AL 154
3.1 mi·5 min·AL 154
29
Arrive at destination
AL 154
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5-hour and 32-minute transit time. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you arrive in Center Point with plenty of daylight to spare. Since you have a fuel budget of $41, consider filling up before you leave Madison to avoid higher prices along the interstate. Keep a close eye on your mileage during the 78.9-mile stretch on I-20, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your driving time. Because this is a one-day trip, the flexibility of your schedule is your greatest asset; feel free to adjust your departure time to bypass peak traffic hours on the major interstates.
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 135.4 miles from Madison, AL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.9 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 60 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.4 miles or 2h 30m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Center Point, 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 270.8 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 20 for about 78.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 86.3 — 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
7
86.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.62 one way
$83.24 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$46.04
$92.07
premium
$4.65
$49.54
$99.09
diesel
$5.35
$57.04
$114.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.2
1
$28.43
$13.00
Efficient EV
67.7
0
$23.70
$10.83
EV Truck/SUV
108.3
1
$37.91
$17.33
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Madison, AL
Afternoon
in Madison on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Center Point, AL
Afternoon
in Center Point on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph6% chanceLive forecast
70°F
Akron, AL
135 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
6 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 32m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. The route features a mix of interstate transit and segments on AL-69, providing a blend of rapid transit and local connectivity. You should prepare for a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 78.9 miles along I-20. This drive is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering, offering a predictable path that keeps you moving toward your destination. You will find that the transitions between the interstate system and state highways are the most dynamic parts of the trip.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 65. 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 Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 270.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
996 ft86 ft
Total Climb
683 ft
Total Descent
1,119 ft
Highest Point
996 ft
~38.7 mi in
Elevation Range
910 ft
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 Center Point, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale, Montgomery and Union.
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.
Top landmarks
•James H. Bibb House — historic house in Alabama, United States
•Madison Station Historic District — historic district in Alabama, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 270.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.9 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Center Point, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Center Point, AL before the return drive.
