Origin
Satsuma, AL
Evening in Satsuma on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Satsuma, AL to Madison, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 5m
Distance
333.1 mi
536 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 53m
★
6 AM
6h 6m
8 AM
6h 31m
10 AM
6h 15m
12 PM
6h 12m
3 PM
6h 16m
5 PM
6h 30m
8 PM
5h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Satsuma, AL
Engin Akyurt
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 333.1-mile journey from Satsuma, Alabama, to Madison, Alabama, a drive that typically takes around 6 hours and 5 minutes. This route is predominantly highway, with 99% of your travel occurring on interstates and major roadways, making it a straightforward option for a single day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $50, this drive is budget-friendly. You'll be traversing within the Southeast region, staying within the state of Alabama for the entire excursion. Consider this a practical, efficient option for getting from point A to point B.
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
166.6 miles from Satsuma, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 319.6 mi | 5h 46m |
| I 565 | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| US 43 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Sullivan Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Wall Triana Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Railroad Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 319.6 mi, about 5h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Satsuma, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on Railroad Street
140 ft
·
12 sec
·
Railroad Street
2
Turn right onto US 43
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 43
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
4
Merge onto I 65
320 mi
·
5 hr 46 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 340
Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 340A
Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
7
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 9
Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
9
Keep slight left at fork
467 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 9
Toward Madison
Use the left lane.
10
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sullivan Street
12
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
13
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Church Street
14
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, starting your drive in Satsuma early in the morning is advisable to reach Madison with daylight to spare. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan to fuel up before you depart or at a convenient point along I-65. The 333.1-mile trip is manageable in one day, but listen to your body; if you feel fatigued, utilize the flexibility of this drive to pull over earlier than planned. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 319.6-mile stretch on I-65, as services can be spaced out.
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 166.6 miles from Satsuma, AL, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 319.6 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 73 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.6 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
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 Satsuma, 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 Satsuma, AL
This is one driving day of about 333.1 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Satsuma, 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 319.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 166.6 miles from Satsuma, 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 319.6 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 331.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
321.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 50m 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
321.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 50m 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...
6
330.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m 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
331.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m 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
$50.31 one way
$100.61 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $55.22 | $110.45 |
| premium | $4.56 | $59.79 | $119.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.54 | $147.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.9 | 1 | $34.98 | $15.99 |
| Efficient EV | 83.3 | 0 | $29.15 | $13.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.2 | 1 | $46.63 | $21.32 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Madison, AL
Evening in Madison on Saturday
Local time
8:26 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
4 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 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, designed for covering distance. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I-65 and I-565, with a short segment on US-43. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers an impressive 319.6 miles, primarily on I-65, meaning you can settle in for a good portion of the trip. While efficient, expect a consistent driving experience with minimal deviations from high-speed travel.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 319.6 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near I 65.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 333.1 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 321.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 5m. Total distance: 333.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 319.6 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 Madison, 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 2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 321.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Madison, AL before the return drive.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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