Origin
Andalusia, AL
Morning in Andalusia on Saturday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Andalusia, AL to Huntsville, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
278.2 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 11m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Andalusia, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Huntsville, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Andalusia, AL to Huntsville, AL covers 278.2 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, I 565, AL 55 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 225 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.01 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
139.1 miles from Andalusia, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 278.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 11m highway drive covering 278.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 565. The longest continuous stretch is about 225 miles on I 65.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 225 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 32.4 miles in.
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 278.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 32.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
32.4 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
32.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
257.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m 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
257.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m 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
277.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 225 mi | 4h 5m |
| I 565 | 18.9 mi | 20m |
| AL 55 | 17.9 mi | 20m |
| Mobile Road | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| River Falls Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| Jefferson Street North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| River Falls Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 225 mi, about 4h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andalusia, AL and Huntsville, AL.
1
Start on Court Square
188 ft
·
5 sec
·
Court Square
2
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Church Street
3
Turn right onto River Falls Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
River Falls Street
4
Continue on River Falls Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
River Falls Road
5
Continue on River Falls Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
River Falls Street
6
Continue on US 29; AL 55
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
River Falls Street
7
Continue on US 84; AL 55
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
River Falls Street
8
Turn right onto AL 55
18 mi
·
20 min
·
AL 55
9
Continue on US 31; AL 55
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Mobile Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 65
225 mi
·
4 hr 5 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
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 139.1 miles from Andalusia, AL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225 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 61 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.1 miles or 2h 37m 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 14m
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 Andalusia, 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 Andalusia, AL
This is one driving day of about 278.2 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Andalusia, 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 225 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.1 mi from Andalusia, AL · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.1 miles from Andalusia, 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 225 miles.
Arriving in Huntsville, AL
The final approach into Huntsville, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Huntsville, AL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.01 one way
$84.03 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $46.12 | $92.24 |
| premium | $4.56 | $49.93 | $99.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.42 | $122.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.5 | 1 | $29.21 | $13.35 |
| Efficient EV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.34 | $11.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.3 | 1 | $38.95 | $17.80 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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
Huntsville, AL
Morning in Huntsville on Saturday
Local time
6:08 AM
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
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
5h 11m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Andalusia, AL to Huntsville, AL covers 278.2 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 565, AL 55. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.1 miles from Andalusia, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.01 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 278.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Andalusia, AL to Huntsville, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Huntsville, AL
More trips to Huntsville, AL
Explore more options from Andalusia, AL or browse trips ending in Huntsville, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.