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Trip from Andalusia, AL to Madison, AL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 2m

Distance

269.2 mi

433 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 49m ★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Covington County, Alabama, USA

Andalusia, AL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Alabama, United States

Madison, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Andalusia, AL to Madison, AL covers 269.2 miles and takes about 5h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, AL 55, Mobile Road 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 $40.66 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

134.6 miles from Andalusia, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 269.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 2m highway drive covering 269.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and AL 55. 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 21 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 AL 55. 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 269.2 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 257.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These 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.
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...
6
266.9 mi into trip | ~4h 58m 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
267.2 mi into trip | ~4h 58m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 225 mi 4h 5m
AL 55 17.9 mi 20m
Mobile Road 9.3 mi 11m
I 565 8.4 mi 9m
River Falls Street 4.7 mi 8m
Sullivan Street 1.1 mi 2m
Church Street 0.6 mi 1m
Main Street 0.3 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 Madison, 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

8.4 mi · 9 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Exit 9 Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
16

Keep slight left at fork

467 ft · 9 sec
Exit 9 Toward Madison Use the left lane.
17

Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
18

Continue on Sullivan Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street
19

Turn right onto Main Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
20

Continue on Church Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Church Street
21

Arrive at destination

Church Street

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 134.6 miles from Andalusia, AL, or about 2h 32m 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 134.6 miles or 2h 32m 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 6m

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 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 269.2 miles and 5h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 134.6 mi from Andalusia, AL · 2h 32m into the drive

Downtown Thorsby, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Thorsby, AL

135 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

Montgomery, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbiana, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 134.6 miles from Andalusia, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 225 miles.

Arriving in Madison, AL

The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 176.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.66 one way

$81.31 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $44.63 $89.26
premium $4.56 $48.32 $96.64
diesel $5.61 $59.44 $118.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.8 0 $28.27 $12.92
Efficient EV 67.3 0 $23.55 $10.77
EV Truck/SUV 107.7 1 $37.69 $17.23

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Andalusia, AL

Late night in Andalusia on Saturday

Local time

5:35 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Madison, AL

Late night in Madison on Saturday

Local time

5:35 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 2m 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 Madison, AL covers 269.2 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 65, AL 55, Mobile Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 134.6 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 $40.66 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 269.2 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 257.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Andalusia, AL to Madison, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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