Spanning 253 miles across Alabama, this journey from Madison to Clio takes approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. Since the entire trip is contained within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent local landscape throughout the drive. It is well-suited for a single-day commitment, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $39 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this route avoids major interstates entirely, you should be prepared for a drive that prioritizes local roads over high-speed transit.
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
126.5 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
166.8 mi
3h 2m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
US 231
17.8 mi
24m
East Troy Street
12.8 mi
19m
I 565
8.5 mi
9m
I 85
2.7 mi
3m
McGehee Road
1.4 mi
2m
Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 166.8 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Clio, 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
93 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
393 ft·9 sec
Exit 171Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
17
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft·8 sec·Ann Street
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
21
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Carter Hill Road
22
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
23
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
26
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.5 mi·44 sec·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto AL 10
0.6 mi·53 sec·South A. Graham Boulevard
30
Continue on AL 10
0.3 mi·27 sec·South A Graham Boulevard
31
Continue on AL 10
13 mi·19 min·East Troy Street
32
Turn right onto AL 51
12 ft·0 sec·Elamville Street
33
Arrive at destination
AL 51
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highways, flexibility is your greatest advantage; feel free to adjust your pace based on local traffic conditions. Departing early in the morning is a smart strategy to navigate the various turns and street transitions during daylight hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $39 estimate may fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency on lower-speed roads. Prioritize steady driving to navigate the frequent turns safely and efficiently.
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 126.5 miles from Madison, AL, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.8 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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clio, 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 253 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 166.8 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 18
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
$38.21 one way
$76.42 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$41.94
$83.89
premium
$4.56
$45.41
$90.82
diesel
$5.61
$55.86
$111.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.9
0
$26.56
$12.14
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.14
$10.12
EV Truck/SUV
101.2
1
$35.42
$16.19
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Madison, AL
Morning
in Madison on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Sunny
SSW 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clio, AL
Morning
in Clio on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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
4h 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You will navigate a series of surface streets and highways, including Main Street, Sullivan Street, and Wall Triana Highway, as you make your way south. With a highway share of 0%, your experience will be dictated by local traffic patterns and community infrastructure. The path demands your full attention behind the wheel as you transition between various local roads. Expect a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the changing character of Alabama's local thoroughfares.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166.8 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Troy Highway. 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 18 significant decision points across 253 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
883 ft255 ft
Total Climb
804 ft
Total Descent
983 ft
Highest Point
883 ft
~36.1 mi in
Elevation Range
628 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 Clio, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 253 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 166.8 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 Clio, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Clio, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
