Madison, AL to Hokes Bluff, AL is 93.3 miles and takes about 2h 13m via Governors Drive Southwest, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a route that primarily uses surface roads, so it's more about cruising through towns than high-speed travel. This is a straightforward, single-day drive that won't eat up your entire day, leaving you with plenty of time to settle in at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governors Drive Southwest
36.3 mi
45m
Florida Short Route
28.1 mi
40m
West Meighan Boulevard
6.3 mi
11m
I 565
5.2 mi
5m
Herman Nelson Highway
4.8 mi
6m
Madison Boulevard
2.6 mi
3m
Gunter Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
Piedmont Cutoff Highway
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Governors Drive Southwest
— 36.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Hokes Bluff, 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
6.3 mi·11 min·West Meighan Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 278
1.4 mi·2 min·Piedmont Cutoff Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 278
4.8 mi·6 min·Herman Nelson Highway
19
Turn left onto CH 65
0.9 mi·1 min·Alford Bend Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Main Street
11 ft·0 sec·Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short, 2h 13m drive, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any early rush hour and to give yourself time for a leisurely breakfast before you depart. Since the longest stretch on one road is 36.3 miles, plan for potential stops for gas or a quick break around that point if needed, especially since the fuel cost is estimated at only $14. This route is best tackled in one go, so you can arrive at Hokes Bluff with plenty of daylight left.
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 46.6 miles from Madison, AL, or about 1h 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 1h 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hokes Bluff, 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 93.3 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Madison, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.9 and 92.4 — 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.
6
92.4 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|CH 65 / Alford Bend Road
Turn left onto CH 65 / Alford Bend Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.09 one way
$28.18 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.47
$30.94
premium
$4.56
$16.75
$33.49
diesel
$5.61
$20.60
$41.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.80
$4.48
Efficient EV
23.3
0
$8.16
$3.73
EV Truck/SUV
37.3
0
$13.06
$5.97
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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
Morning
in Madison on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hokes Bluff, AL
Morning
in Hokes Bluff on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
1 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
2h 13m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with only about 6% of the drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 36.3 miles on Governors Drive Southwest. Be prepared for more frequent stops and lower average speeds as you navigate through local areas. This means you'll notice more intersections and potentially slower traffic as you get closer to towns.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 93.3 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 13m. Total distance: 93.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m 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.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas 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 Hokes Bluff, 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. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Hokes Bluff, AL before heading back.
