Phil Campbell, AL to Madison, AL is 73.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 32 minutes via AL 24 and I-565, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region and is entirely within Alabama. With a majority of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward trip suited for a single day. Expect a fairly direct route with minimal complications, making it a good option if you're looking for a quick and easy transition between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.5 miles from Phil Campbell, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
AL 24
43.2 mi
51m
Broad Street
11.1 mi
13m
I 565
8.8 mi
9m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3 mi
3m
6th Avenue Northeast
2.3 mi
3m
Moulton Street West
2.2 mi
4m
Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
2m
Church Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
AL 24
— 43.2 mi, about 51m
Traffic on I-565
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
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phil Campbell, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on McClung Avenue
101 ft·9 sec·McClung Avenue
2
Turn left onto AL 13
11 mi·13 min·Broad Street
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·30 sec
4
Merge onto AL 24
36 mi·42 min·AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on AL 24
7.5 mi·9 min·AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on Moulton Street West
2.2 mi·4 min·Moulton Street West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto US 31
2.3 mi·3 min·6th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.0 mi·3 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Toward HuntsvilleUse the left lane.
9
Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate
8.8 mi·9 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 9Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork
467 ft·9 sec
Exit 9Toward MadisonUse the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi·27 sec·Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Sullivan Street
14
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
15
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Church Street
16
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Phil Campbell in the morning should get you to Madison with plenty of daylight to spare. Since the total drive is just over an hour and a half, you likely won't need extensive stops, but there are no designated stops on this route, so plan accordingly for any breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is around $11, which is generally manageable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 36.5 miles from Phil Campbell, AL, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.2 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 16 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.5 miles or 44m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Phil Campbell, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Phil Campbell, AL
This is one driving day of about 73.1 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Phil Campbell, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on AL 24 for about 43.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 71.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|AL 13 / Broad Street
Turn left onto AL 13 / Broad Street
Navigation decision point
5
11.3 mi into trip|~14m in|AL 24
Merge onto AL 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
56.6 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Turn left onto US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
9
71.1 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 9
Toward Madison
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.71 one way
$21.42 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$11.89
$23.78
premium
$4.49
$12.91
$25.82
diesel
$5.60
$16.11
$32.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.9
0
$7.68
$3.51
Efficient EV
18.3
0
$6.40
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.23
$4.68
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Phil Campbell, AL
Afternoon
in Phil Campbell on Friday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, AL
Afternoon
in Madison on Friday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
1h 32m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 71% of it utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 43.2 miles on AL 24 before transitioning to other main roads, including I-565. Be prepared for highway speeds and potentially dense exits as you approach Madison.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.2 mi on AL 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 24 and Broad Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AL 13 / Broad Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 73.1 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (AL 13 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles (AL 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.6 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,025 ft551 ft
Total Climb
307 ft
Total Descent
627 ft
Highest Point
1,025 ft
Elevation Range
475 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Phil Campbell, AL to Madison, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Huntsville along the way.
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
•James H. Bibb House — historic house in Alabama, United States
•Madison Station Historic District — historic district in Alabama, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 73.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.2 miles on AL 24. 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 Madison, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AL 13 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles (AL 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.6 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Madison, AL before heading back.
