Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 31m
Distance
129.8 mi
209 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
West Blocton, AL
Elizabeth Iris
Madison, AL to West Blocton, AL is 129.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m via I 65 and I 20, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Southeast region, beginning in Alabama and staying there for the entire trip. It's primarily a highway drive, meaning you'll cover most of the distance quickly. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion, letting you reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.9 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 77.4 mi | 1h 23m |
| I 20 | 26.9 mi | 29m |
| I 565 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| State Route 5 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| US 11 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Sullivan Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Cahaba River Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,230 veh/hr typical · worst 3,768
Quietest
1 AM
~183 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and West Blocton, AL.
Start on Church Street
Continue on this road
Continue on Main Street
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
Continue on Wall Triana Highway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alt
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Take the exit onto US 11; AL 5
Turn left onto US 11; AL 5
Turn left onto AL 5
Turn left onto CR 24
Turn left onto Hickory Road
Turn left onto Azalea Lane
Turn right onto Hickory Road
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this relatively short 2.5-hour drive, consider leaving Madison, AL after the morning rush hour. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover ground quickly, but plan for one stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $19, and refuel before you get too low, especially if you encounter fewer services on the latter half of I 20. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart later in the morning or early afternoon.
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.
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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.9 miles or 1h 12m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Blocton, AL than in the middle of the route.
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 129.8 miles and 2h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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.
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 64.9 miles from Madison, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 117.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 11; AL 5 toward US 11 South, AL 5 South: West Blocton, Centreville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$19.02 one way
$38.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $21.11 | $42.22 |
| premium | $4.49 | $22.92 | $45.85 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $28.61 | $57.22 |
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: 45.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.63 | $6.23 |
| Efficient EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.36 | $5.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.17 | $8.31 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Madison on Saturday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in West Blocton on Saturday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
72°F
Morris, AL
65 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect to be on highways for about 95% of this 129.8-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a major highway is 77.4 miles, likely on I 65. You'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of the drive as you approach West Blocton. Given the highway profile, anticipate relatively consistent cruising speeds and a high density of highway exits for much of the journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 20. 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.
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 19 significant decision points across 129.8 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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
749 ft
Total Descent
958 ft
Highest Point
902 ft
~37.1 mi in
Elevation Range
490 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Madison, AL and West Blocton, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale, Montgomery and Centreville.
Nashville
Fultondale
Montgomery
Centreville
Founded 1818
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.
Top landmarks
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 129.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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