If you are planning a trip from Red Bay to Madison, expect a straightforward journey covering 86.8 miles across northern Alabama. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize Alabama Highway 24 before transitioning onto I-565 to complete the final leg of your trip. With an estimated fuel cost of just $13, this is an efficient and budget-friendly way to navigate between these two Southeast locations. Because the duration is well under two hours, you do not need to worry about overnight stops, allowing you the flexibility to complete the trip in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.4 miles from Red Bay, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Red Bay, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on 4th Street Southeast
108 ft·6 sec·4th Street Southeast
2
Turn right onto AL 19
0.5 mi·1 min·4th Avenue Southeast
3
Continue on Winnie Frost Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Winnie Frost Drive
4
Turn left onto AL 24
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·Alabama Highway 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
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure around your personal preferences rather than strict fatigue management. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you want to avoid the transition into the denser traffic patterns often found when merging onto I-565. Because there are no designated stops required for a drive of this length, you can easily complete the 86.8-mile distance without needing to refuel mid-journey. Keep a close eye on your speedometer while transitioning between AL 24 and the interstate, as speed limits can change quickly in these zones. Pack your own snacks before you head out, as the lack of planned stops gives you the freedom to drive straight through to Madison.
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 43.4 miles from Red Bay, AL, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.4 miles or 53m 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 32m
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 Red Bay, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Red Bay, AL
This is one driving day of about 86.8 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Red Bay, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Alabama Highway 24 for about 59.8 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 84.8 — 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 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
4
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|AL 24 / Alabama Highway 24
Turn left onto AL 24 / Alabama Highway 24
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
70.3 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Turn left onto US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
84.8 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
$13.11 one way
$26.22 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$14.39
$28.78
premium
$4.56
$15.58
$31.16
diesel
$5.61
$19.16
$38.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26
0
$9.11
$4.17
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.59
$3.47
EV Truck/SUV
34.7
0
$12.15
$5.56
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 13, 2026
Origin
Red Bay, AL
Morning
in Red Bay on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, AL
Morning
in Madison on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Sunny
SSW 10 mph11% chanceLive 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
24 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 49m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on Alabama Highway 24, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 59.8 miles. The experience is characterized by consistent pavement and efficient transit rather than winding, technical backroads. As you transition from the state highway system onto I-565, the pace of the drive shifts slightly to accommodate the busier infrastructure near your destination. Expect a functional, predictable drive that prioritizes speed and directness over the slower, meandering pace of secondary routes.
88% 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: 59.8 mi on Alabama Highway 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Alabama Highway 24 and I 565. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast.
Driving Effort5/10
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 86.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (AL 24 / Alabama Highway 24): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
814 ft567 ft
Total Climb
489 ft
Total Descent
428 ft
Highest Point
814 ft
~12.4 mi in
Elevation Range
247 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 Red Bay, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 86.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on Alabama Highway 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (AL 24 / Alabama Highway 24): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 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.
