This 351.9-mile drive from Prichard, AL to Huntsville, AL is a straightforward journey through Alabama, entirely within the Southeast region. Clocking in at 6 hours and 24 minutes, it’s easily manageable as a single-day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimated around $53. The route is predominantly highway, making it a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B. You'll primarily be on I-65 and I-565, with a short section of I-165 connecting you. This drive is best suited for those who prefer consistent speed and minimal detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
175.9 miles from Prichard, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
329.3 mi
5h 57m
I 565
18.9 mi
20m
I 165
0.6 mi
<1m
Jefferson Street North
0.5 mi
1m
North Wilson Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
East Azan Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Spring Street Southwest
<0.1 mi
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 329.3 mi, about 5h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prichard, AL and Huntsville, AL.
1
Start on East Azan Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·East Azan Street
2
Turn left onto North Wilson Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Wilson Avenue
3
Turn right
0.4 mi·50 sec
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Merge onto I 165
0.6 mi·40 sec·I 165
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 65: Montgomery
7
Merge onto I 65
329 mi·5 hr 57 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 340Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 340AToward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
10
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
19 mi·20 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
12
Continue on this road
395 ft·9 sec·this road
Exit 19CToward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
13
Keep slight right at fork
343 ft·8 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North
0.5 mi·1 min·Jefferson Street North
15
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
4 ft·0 sec·Spring Street Southwest
16
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
With a duration of 6 hours and 24 minutes, starting your drive from Prichard early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. You'll encounter one primary stretch of 329.3 miles on I-65, so plan for a single significant stop for fuel and a break midway. Given the highway-centric nature, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be further apart on interstates. The total estimated fuel cost is $53, which is a reasonable budget for this 351.9-mile journey within Alabama.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.9 miles from Prichard, AL, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 329.3 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 77 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.9 miles or 3h 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 5h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Huntsville, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Prichard, 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 Prichard, AL
This is one driving day of about 351.9 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Prichard, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 329.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 351.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 65: Montgomery
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
331.3 mi into trip|~6h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
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 340
Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate:...
7
331.6 mi into trip|~6h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 340A
Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsv...
9
351.3 mi into trip|~6h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Jefferson Street, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Jefferson Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.15 one way
$106.29 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$58.34
$116.68
premium
$4.56
$63.16
$126.32
diesel
$5.61
$77.70
$155.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.6
1
$36.95
$16.89
Efficient EV
88
1
$30.79
$14.08
EV Truck/SUV
140.8
1
$49.27
$22.52
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Prichard, AL
Evening
in Prichard on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Huntsville, AL
Evening
in Huntsville on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 254.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 99% of this 351.9-mile trip. The bulk of your journey, a substantial 329.3 miles, will be on I-65, offering a consistent and often fast-paced drive. While this means less time navigating local roads, it also suggests a more uniform landscape for much of the trek. The transition to I-565 near the end will keep you on the interstate system, ensuring a smooth continuation toward Huntsville. This route prioritizes efficiency over winding scenic byways.
99% 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: 329.3 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 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 11 significant decision points across 351.9 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 331.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Huntsville is in northern Alabama, about 20 miles (32 km) from the border with Tennessee. The city is a center for missile defense and aerospace technologies, with companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman having major operations here. Cummings Research Park, the second largest research park in the country, is home to many of these companies.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 351.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 329.3 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Huntsville, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 331.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Huntsville, AL before the return drive.
