Winfield, AL to Madison, AL is 107 miles and takes about 2h 23m via AL 24 and AL 129, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Alabama, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll be covering a good portion of the distance on main state highways, making it a relatively quick journey. Plan for a smooth ride with minimal complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.5 miles from Winfield, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
AL 24
43.2 mi
51m
AL 129
14.7 mi
20m
AL 241
14.1 mi
20m
Broad Street
11.2 mi
13m
I 565
8.8 mi
9m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3 mi
3m
6th Avenue Northeast
2.3 mi
3m
Moulton Street West
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
AL 24
— 43.2 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winfield, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on US 43; AL 118; AL 171
129 ft·5 sec·Bankhead Avenue
2
Continue on AL 118
0.6 mi·1 min·Bankhead Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on AL 118
1.4 mi·2 min·Bankhead Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto AL 129
3.8 mi·5 min·AL 129
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on AL 129
11 mi·15 min·AL 129
6
Turn left onto US 278
0.6 mi·56 sec·US 278
7
Turn right onto AL 241
11 mi·15 min·AL 241
8
Continue on AL 172; AL 241
0.4 mi·45 sec·AL 172; AL 241
9
Turn right onto AL 241
3.0 mi·5 min·AL 241
10
Turn straight onto AL 237
2.0 mi·3 min·Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn slight left onto AL 13
11 mi·13 min·Broad Street
12
Turn left
0.2 mi·30 sec
13
Merge onto AL 24
36 mi·42 min·AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on AL 24
7.5 mi·9 min·AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on Moulton Street West
2.2 mi·4 min·Moulton Street West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 31
2.3 mi·3 min·6th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.0 mi·3 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Toward HuntsvilleUse the left lane.
18
Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate
8.8 mi·9 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 9Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork
467 ft·9 sec
Exit 9Toward MadisonUse the left lane.
21
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi·27 sec·Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Sullivan Street
23
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
24
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Church Street
25
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 2 hours and 23 minutes, this is an ideal same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can leave in the morning and still have plenty of time for activities at your destination, or depart later in the day. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on road conditions on AL 24 and AL 129, as they are the primary arteries for this journey. Since the longest stretch without a stop is over 43 miles, consider a brief pause before you begin if you prefer to break up longer segments.
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 53.5 miles from Winfield, AL, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.2 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.5 miles or 1h 14m 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 55m
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 Winfield, 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 Winfield, AL
This is one driving day of about 107 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Winfield, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on AL 24 for about 43.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 105 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip|~3m in|AL 129
Turn left onto AL 129
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
45.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|AL 24
Merge onto AL 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
90.6 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Turn left onto US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
104.7 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
105 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
$16.16 one way
$32.32 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$17.74
$35.48
premium
$4.56
$19.21
$38.41
diesel
$5.61
$23.62
$47.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.1
0
$11.24
$5.14
Efficient EV
26.8
0
$9.36
$4.28
EV Truck/SUV
42.8
0
$14.98
$6.85
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (65% 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
Winfield, AL
Late night
in Winfield on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, AL
Late night
in Madison on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph44% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Russellville, AL
54 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
6 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
2h 23m 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 trip is characterized as a highway-focused drive, with 76% of the route utilizing highways. You'll experience stretches of faster driving, including a notable 43.2-mile segment on AL 24. The route primarily follows AL 24, AL 129, and AL 241, suggesting a mix of well-maintained state roads. Expect a consistent pace for most of the journey, with fewer opportunities for slow-downs or frequent turns. The drive should feel efficient, allowing you to cover ground steadily.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.2 mi on AL 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 24 and AL 129. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near AL 129.
Driving Effort6/10
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 107 miles you will encounter 13 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 (AL 129): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.2 miles (AL 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.6 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Winfield, 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 2h 23m. Total distance: 107 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.2 miles on AL 24. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (AL 129): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.2 miles (AL 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.6 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.
