Origin
Sylacauga, AL
Morning in Sylacauga on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sylacauga, AL to Huntsville, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
147.2 mi
237 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sylacauga, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Huntsville, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Sylacauga to Huntsville, this 147.2-mile journey takes approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes. You will primarily utilize US 231, I-65, and I-565 to navigate across the Southeast region of Alabama. Budgeting around $23 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Given the duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads, making it a reliable choice if you need to reach your destination quickly.
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
73.6 miles from Sylacauga, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 77.2 mi | 1h 23m |
| US 231 | 42.1 mi | 56m |
| I 565 | 18.9 mi | 20m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Carraway Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| West Fort Williams Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Finley Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Street North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sylacauga, AL and Huntsville, AL.
1
Start on this road
173 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Norton Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Norton Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 511
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Fort Williams Street
4
Turn right onto US 231; US 280
42 mi
·
56 min
·
US 231; US 280
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
6
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 31
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carraway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto AL 378
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Finley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto 19th Street North
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
19th Street North
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 65 North
11
Merge onto I 65
77 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 340A
Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
14
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
16
Continue on this road
395 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 19C
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
17
Keep slight right at fork
343 ft
·
8 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Street North
19
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
4 ft
·
0 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
20
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Planning a single stop is ideal to break up the nearly three-hour duration and keep your energy levels consistent. Aim to depart outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain your projected time, especially when transitioning onto the interstates. Since this is a highway-heavy route, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer stretches of I-65. Because you only need one stop, you have the flexibility to choose a location that fits your specific schedule rather than being forced into a rigid itinerary. Use that 77.2-mile stretch on I-65 to settle into a comfortable pace, but remain alert for merging traffic as you shift between the major routes.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.6 miles from Sylacauga, AL, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 32 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.6 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 25m
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 Sylacauga, 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 Sylacauga, AL
This is one driving day of about 147.2 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Sylacauga, 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 77.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.6 miles from Sylacauga, 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 77.2 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 43.9 and 146.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
43.9 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
5
44.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway
Merge onto US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
126.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m 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
127 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m 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
146.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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
$22.23 one way
$44.46 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $24.40 | $48.81 |
| premium | $4.56 | $26.42 | $52.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.50 | $65.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.46 | $7.07 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.88 | $5.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.61 | $9.42 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Huntsville, AL
Morning in Huntsville on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Birmingham, AL
74 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 56m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 45.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 96% of this trip consists of highway driving. You will encounter a mix of major interstates and US routes, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 77.2 miles on I-65. The road personality is decidedly functional, designed for steady cruising rather than technical maneuvering. While the transitions between highway segments keep the pace moving, the environment remains consistent throughout the trek. You can rely on these major corridors to provide a predictable and steady rhythm from start to finish.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.2 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.9 miles in near US 280.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 147.2 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 43.9 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.3 miles (US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Huntsville, AL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 147.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.2 miles on I 65. 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 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 43.9 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.3 miles (US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.7 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Huntsville, AL before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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