Trip from Madison, AL to Cleveland, AL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

66.3 mi

107 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min

4 AM

1h 24m ★

6 AM

1h 31m

8 AM

1h 45m

10 AM

1h 36m

12 PM

1h 35m

3 PM

1h 37m

5 PM

1h 45m

8 PM

1h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Madison, AL

Wikimedia Commons

town in Blount County, Alabama, United States

Cleveland, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 66.3-mile drive from Madison, Alabama, to Cleveland, Alabama, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 31 minutes. With 92% of the route on highways, it's a quick and efficient trip, perfect for a single-day excursion. The estimated fuel cost for this leg is around $10, making it an economical option. Since this is a relatively short, highway-focused drive, you won't need to worry about overnight stays; it's designed for direct travel through the Southeast region of Alabama. Plan for minimal stops, as the longest continuous stretch on a main road is 27.8 miles.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

33.1 miles from Madison, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Brindlee Mountain Parkway	27.8 mi	40m
Memorial Parkway Southwest	27.1 mi	35m
I 565	5.2 mi	5m
Madison Boulevard	2.6 mi	3m
Hughes Road	1.3 mi	2m
US 231	1 mi	1m
Mill Road	0.3 mi	<1m
AL 160	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: North Brindlee Mountain Parkway — 27.8 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Cleveland, AL.

Start on Church Street

70 ft · 3 sec · Church Street

Turn right onto Mill Road

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Mill Road

Turn right onto Hughes Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Hughes Road

At end of road, turn left onto Madison Boulevard

2.6 mi · 3 min · Madison Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

5.2 mi · 5 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · this road

Exit 19A Toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway

Merge onto US 231; US 431

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Memorial Parkway Southwest

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 231

27 mi · 34 min · Memorial Parkway Southwest

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 231

28 mi · 40 min · North Brindlee Mountain Parkway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto US 231

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 231

Turn right onto AL 160

220 ft · 7 sec · AL 160

Arrive at destination

AL 160

Trip Plan

Given the short 1 hour and 31-minute duration and 66.3-mile length, this route offers significant flexibility. You can depart at your leisure without needing to break up the drive. The estimated fuel cost of $10 is minimal, so ensure your tank is topped off before you leave Madison. Because the longest stretch is nearly 28 miles, plan for your first quick break after that segment if needed, or simply wait until you reach Cleveland. Keep an eye on your GPS as you navigate the transitions between Memorial Parkway Southwest, I-565, and the North Brindlee Mountain Parkway to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey.

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.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 33.1 miles from Madison, AL, or about 43m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.8 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 15 miles or 20m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 33.1 miles or 43m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Madison, AL

This is one driving day of about 66.3 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Madison, AL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on North Brindlee Mountain Parkway for about 27.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Arab, AL

33 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Chelsea, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Arab, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.1 miles from Madison, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Amerigo Italian Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Huntsville, Alabama

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 14.2

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12565852808

Visit website

Panda III Chinese Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Arab, Alabama

2.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Madison, Alabama

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12564891223

Visit website

Four Knights Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Arab, Alabama

1.1 mi

Amerigo Italian Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 14.2

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12565852808

Visit website

Panda III Chinese Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.6

Arab, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12569312129

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Madison, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12564891223

Visit website

Four Knights Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 42.6

Arab, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+12566408333

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 9.5

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 4.7

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 9.5

Huntsville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 10.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Mill Road

Turn right onto Mill Road

Navigation decision point

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...

10.1 mi into trip | ~13m in

Continue toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 19A Toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Par...

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.

10.7 mi into trip | ~14m in | US 231 / Memorial Parkway Southwest

Keep slight left at fork onto US 231 / Memorial Parkway Southwest

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.01 one way

$20.03 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$10.99	$21.98
premium	$4.56	$11.90	$23.80
diesel	$5.61	$14.64	$29.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	19.9	$6.96	$3.18
Efficient EV	16.6	$5.80	$2.65
EV Truck/SUV	26.5	$9.28	$4.24

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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

Night in Madison on Saturday

Local time

11:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cleveland, AL

Night in Cleveland on Saturday

Local time

11:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

2 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

1h 31m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Your drive will be predominantly highway-focused, with 92% of the 66.3 miles utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the North Brindlee Mountain Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 27.8 miles. Expect a consistent pace for much of the journey, as the profile indicates a highway-centric experience rather than a winding, scenic byway. While the majority is highway, the transition between Memorial Parkway Southwest, I-565, and the North Brindlee Mountain Parkway will offer minor variations in the driving environment as you progress toward Cleveland.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 27.8 mi on North Brindlee Mountain Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Brindlee Mountain Parkway and Memorial Parkway Southwest. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mill Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Mill Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 66.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 27.8 miles on North Brindlee Mountain Parkway. 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 Cleveland, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cleveland, AL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Madison, AL or browse trips ending in Cleveland, AL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.

Trip from Madison, AL to Cleveland, AL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Amerigo Italian Restaurant

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

Amerigo Italian Restaurant

Panda III Chinese Restaurant

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

Four Knights Coffee

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Clipper Creek Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Dublin Park

Spring Valley Beach

Kids Kingdom

Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Madison, AL

Cleveland, AL

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 31m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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