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Trip from Madison, AL to Vincent, AL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 28m

Distance

124.7 mi

201 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 19m ★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 23m

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

city in Alabama, United States

Madison, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Vincent, AL, AL

Vincent, AL

Franco Monsalvo

Trip Overview

Madison, AL to Vincent, AL is 124.7 miles and takes about 2h 28m via I 65 and US 280, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region and the state of Alabama, making it a straightforward drive. With 96% highway travel, you'll find this route is mostly cruising on major roads. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, especially if you want to get between these two points efficiently without much fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

62.3 miles from Madison, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 77.6 mi 1h 23m
US 280 26.4 mi 35m
I 565 8.5 mi 9m
US 231 3.2 mi 4m
Red Mountain Expressway 2.5 mi 3m
Sullivan Street 1.1 mi 2m
I 20 1 mi 1m
Church Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 77.6 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Vincent, 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 1 Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 1 Toward I 65 South: Birmingham Use 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 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Toward Montgomery Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 65

3.9 mi · 4 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 261B Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
16

Merge onto I 20; I 59

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 20; I 59
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 126A Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East Use the slight left lane.
19

Merge onto US 31; US 280

2.5 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Expressway
20

Take the exit onto US 280

18 mi · 24 min · US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit onto US 280

8.7 mi · 10 min · US 280
22

Turn left onto US 231; AL 25

3.2 mi · 4 min · US 231; AL 25
23

Arrive at destination

US 231; AL 25

Trip Plan

Given the 2h 28m duration, leaving Madison, AL in the morning allows ample time to reach Vincent, AL well before evening. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with departure times. The fuel cost is estimated at $19, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, especially before the 77.6-mile stretch on I 65. While there are no designated stops listed, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Vincent, AL, and consider a brief pause if needed.

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 62.3 miles from Madison, AL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.6 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 27 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vincent, 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 124.7 miles and 2h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Madison, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 77.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gardendale, AL

62 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

Cullman, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warrior, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.3 miles from Madison, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.6 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 92 — 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
8
91.8 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Take the exit toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 126A Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downt...
8
92 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South, US 280 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 31 South, US 280 East

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.83 one way

$37.67 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $20.67 $41.35
premium $4.56 $22.38 $44.76
diesel $5.61 $27.53 $55.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.4 0 $13.09 $5.99
Efficient EV 31.2 0 $10.91 $4.99
EV Truck/SUV 49.9 0 $17.46 $7.98

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 19, 2026

Origin

Madison, AL

Late night in Madison on Tuesday

Local time

5:39 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Vincent, AL

Late night in Vincent on Tuesday

Local time

5:39 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 28m 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?

This drive is predominantly highway, with 96% of the 124.7 miles on major thoroughfares like I 65 and US 280. You'll experience a long stretch of 77.6 miles on I 65, offering uninterrupted cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur late in the trip, as the highway portion concludes. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits on the interstate sections.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.6 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 280. 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 Effort 10/10

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 124.7 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

903 ft 408 ft

Total Climb

800 ft

Total Descent

1,072 ft

Highest Point

903 ft

~106.9 mi in

Elevation Range

495 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 Vincent, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale, Montgomery, Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.

Nashville

10.6 mi in | ~13m

Fultondale

85.3 mi in | ~1h 34m

Montgomery

86.3 mi in | ~1h 35m

Gadsden

90.6 mi in | ~1h 41m

Downtown

91.8 mi in | ~1h 43m

Zoo Gardens

95 mi in | ~1h 48m | via US 280

About the Cities

Starting in Madison, AL

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 124.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 77.6 miles on I 65. 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 Vincent, 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. 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Vincent, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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