If you are planning a trip from Madison to Guin, Alabama, you are looking at a manageable 105.6-mile trek through the Southeast. The journey typically takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes, making it a straightforward drive that is easily completed in a single day. You will spend roughly $16 on fuel for this one-way trip, so it is quite budget-friendly for a quick excursion. Because the distance is relatively short, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a practical connection between these two Alabama communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.8 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
AL 24
35.4 mi
42m
Andrew Jackson Highway
34.5 mi
42m
I 565
8.5 mi
9m
Gordon Terry Parkway
7.5 mi
9m
US 43
6.6 mi
9m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3.5 mi
4m
U.S. Highway 43
2.8 mi
3m
Moulton Street East
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
AL 24
— 35.4 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Guin, 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
Continue on US 72 Alternate; SR 20
0.1 mi·8 sec·US 72 Alternate; SR 20
9
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.5 mi·4 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.6 mi·2 min·Bee Line Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
0.5 mi·1 min·6th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
2.2 mi·4 min·Moulton Street East
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on Gordon Terry Parkway
7.5 mi·9 min·Gordon Terry Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on AL 24
2.0 mi·2 min·AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on AL 24
33 mi·39 min·AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 43: Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Hamilton
17
Turn left onto US 43; AL 13; AL 17
6.7 mi·7 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
18
Turn right onto US 43; AL 17
6.6 mi·7 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
19
Continue on US 43; AL 17
2.8 mi·3 min·U.S. Highway 43
20
Continue on US 43; AL 17
21 mi·27 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 43; US 278; AL 171
6.6 mi·9 min·US 43; US 278; AL 171
22
Turn left onto US 43; AL 118; AL 171
53 ft·1 sec·US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 2-hour-and-14-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire route without any mandatory stops, but it is always wise to account for the 105.6-mile distance when planning your refueling schedule. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on a mix of highways, so try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods if you are passing through more populated zones. To make the most of your trip, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Madison, as the $16 estimated cost is based on current efficiency standards. Taking a steady pace allows you to enjoy the transition across the Alabama landscape without feeling rushed.
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 52.8 miles from Madison, AL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.8 miles or 1h 8m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Guin, 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 105.6 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Madison, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on AL 24 for about 35.4 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 105.6 — 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.
6
15.9 mi into trip|~21m in|US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
16.4 mi into trip|~22m in|Moulton Street East
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
61.5 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 43: Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Hamilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 43: Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Hami...
6
105.6 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Turn left onto US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.95 one way
$31.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$17.51
$35.01
premium
$4.56
$18.95
$37.91
diesel
$5.61
$23.32
$46.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
Efficient EV
26.4
0
$9.24
$4.22
EV Truck/SUV
42.2
0
$14.78
$6.76
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Guin, AL
Late night
in Guin on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Russellville, AL
53 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed-drive profile that keeps things interesting as you transition between road types. You will spend about 58% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of I-565, the Andrew Jackson Highway, and AL 24 to reach your destination. Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, ranging from faster interstate segments to more localized roadway stretches. Your longest uninterrupted run occurs on AL 24, which spans 35.4 miles of the journey. The shifting road conditions mean you should stay alert as the environment changes from the more developed areas near Madison to the quieter surroundings as you approach Guin.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.4 mi on AL 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Sullivan Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 105.6 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 0.6 miles (Sullivan Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles (Moulton Street East): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,023 ft446 ft
Total Climb
486 ft
Total Descent
746 ft
Highest Point
1,023 ft
~67.9 mi in
Elevation Range
578 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 Guin, AL, road signs point toward Muscle Shoals and Hamilton.
Muscle Shoals
61.5 mi in|~1h 18m
Hamilton
61.5 mi in|~1h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 105.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.4 miles on AL 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Sullivan Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles (Moulton Street East): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Guin, AL before heading back.
