Traveling from Valley to Huntsville covers 187.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 24 minutes. Because this trip is manageable within a single day, you can comfortably complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via LaFayette Street North, Veterans Memorial Parkway, and US 278, experiencing a mixed drive that transitions across the Southeast region of Alabama. Budgeting approximately $29 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trip. This route is a straightforward option if you are looking for an efficient way to cross the state, offering a balance of local roads and highway driving that keeps the commute feeling productive.
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
93.9 miles from Valley, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
LaFayette Street North
61.2 mi
1h 24m
Veterans Memorial Parkway
35.3 mi
44m
US 278
28.1 mi
40m
Florida Short Route
22.4 mi
26m
US 431
19.1 mi
26m
East Meighan Boulevard
9 mi
15m
Fob James Drive
2.4 mi
4m
South Phillips Road
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
LaFayette Street North
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valley, AL and Huntsville, AL.
1
Start on 55th Street West
0.2 mi·52 sec·55th Street West
2
Turn right onto 23rd Boulevard West
0.2 mi·39 sec·23rd Boulevard West
3
At end of road, turn right onto Fob James Drive
2.4 mi·4 min·Fob James Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on CR 208
2.2 mi·4 min·South Phillips Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto AL 50
8.9 mi·12 min·Veterans Memorial Parkway
6
Continue on CR 50
1.6 mi·3 min·Avenue A Southeast
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
At end of road, turn right onto Martin Luther King Drive
0.2 mi·30 sec·Martin Luther King Drive
8
Turn left onto Alabama Avenue East
272 ft·11 sec·Alabama Avenue East
9
Turn right onto US 431
61 mi·1 hr 24 min·LaFayette Street North
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 431
3.5 mi·4 min·US 431
Toward I 20 West, US 431 North: BirminghamUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 431
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 431
Toward US 431 North: Oxford, AnnistonUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431
2.2 mi·3 min·US 431
Toward US 431 North: Oxford, AnnistonUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on US 431
0.4 mi·36 sec·Henry Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 431
26 mi·32 min·Veterans Memorial Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 431
9.0 mi·15 min·East Meighan Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 278; US 431
1.4 mi·3 min·5th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
0.5 mi·50 sec·4th Street Northwest
18
Turn slight right onto US 278; US 431
28 mi·40 min·US 278; US 431
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 431; AL 79
0.5 mi·58 sec·Gunter Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto US 431; AL 79
319 ft·6 sec·May Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn slight left onto US 431; AL 79
1.9 mi·3 min·Blount Avenue
22
Continue on US 431; AL 79
0.1 mi·14 sec·Paddle Wheel Drive
23
Continue on US 431; AL 79
4.7 mi·5 min·Florida Short Route
24
Continue on US 431
18 mi·20 min·Florida Short Route
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 431
13 mi·18 min·US 431
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Turn right onto Madison Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Madison Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto South Side Square
369 ft·16 sec·South Side Square
28
Turn left onto East Side Square
371 ft·16 sec·East Side Square
29
Continue on North Side Square
367 ft·18 sec·North Side Square
30
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Planning for this 4-hour and 24-minute drive is simple, as you only need to account for one planned stop to break up the travel time. Since the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule, though leaving early in the day is always a smart way to beat potential traffic. Keep your $29 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stop to ensure you remain efficient throughout the 187.8-mile trek. Given that the longest stretch is 61.2 miles on LaFayette Street North, try to time your break for shortly after finishing that initial leg. Staying mindful of these road transitions will help you maintain a steady, comfortable pace as you head toward Huntsville.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93.9 miles from Valley, AL, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.2 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 41 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.9 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
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 Valley, 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 Valley, AL
This is one driving day of about 187.8 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Valley, 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 LaFayette Street North for about 61.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 149.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Fob James Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Fob James Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
77 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|US 431
Take the exit onto US 431 toward I 20 West, US 431 North: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 20 West, US 431 North: Birmingham
7
80.4 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|US 431
Take the exit onto US 431 toward US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston
8
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|US 431
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431 toward US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston
6
149.2 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|US 431; AL 79 / May Street
Turn right onto US 431; AL 79 / May Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.36 one way
$56.72 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.13
$62.27
premium
$4.56
$33.71
$67.42
diesel
$5.61
$41.46
$82.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.3
0
$19.72
$9.01
Efficient EV
47
0
$16.43
$7.51
EV Truck/SUV
75.1
0
$26.29
$12.02
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 18, 2026
Origin
Valley, AL
Night
in Valley on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Huntsville, AL
Night
in Huntsville on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph0% 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
11 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
4h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 90.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this 187.8-mile journey is classified as a mixed drive. Roughly 44% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a nice contrast to the more localized sections of the route. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment early on, covering 61.2 miles along LaFayette Street North. The transition between different road types keeps the drive engaging, moving you away from the smaller town feel of Valley toward the more developed landscape of Huntsville. Whether you are navigating the parkway or settling into the US 278 stretches, the road conditions shift enough to prevent the monotony often found on pure interstate travel.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.2 mi on LaFayette Street North.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Fob James Drive.
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 187.8 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.4 miles (Fob James Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles (US 431): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles (US 431): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,085 ft563 ft
Total Climb
920 ft
Total Descent
841 ft
Highest Point
1,085 ft
~134.1 mi in
Elevation Range
522 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 Valley, AL to Huntsville, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Anniston along the way.
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 4h 24m. Total distance: 187.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.2 miles on LaFayette Street North. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Fob James Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles (US 431): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles (US 431): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Huntsville, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
