Origin
Anniston, AL
Late night in Anniston on Thursday
Local time
12:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anniston, AL to Madison, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
112.4 mi
181 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anniston, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 112.4-mile drive from Anniston, AL to Madison, AL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via US 431 and US 278, with a section known as the Florida Short Route. With 69% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $17, making it an economical option for exploring within the Southeast region. This route offers a practical way to cover the distance, fitting well into a relaxed travel schedule.
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
56.2 miles from Anniston, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with nearly 70% of your journey on faster roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 46.1 miles on US 431, allowing for steady progress. While primarily highway, the route incorporates other main roads like US 278 and the Florida Short Route, which may offer a slightly different driving experience. Expect a consistent pace for most of this 112.4-mile trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 431 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 431 and US 278. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Gurnee Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.4 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 0.1 miles (Gurnee Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (West 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (US 431): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Gurnee Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Gurnee Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West 14th Street
Turn right onto West 14th Street
Navigation decision point
4
4.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 431
Turn left onto US 431
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 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.
5
107.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward Madison Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 13
Toward Madison Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 431 | 46.1 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 278 | 28.1 mi | 40m |
| Florida Short Route | 22.4 mi | 26m |
| I 565 | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Madison Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Noble Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Blount Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Saks Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 431
— 46.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anniston, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
48 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Gurnee Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Gurnee Avenue
3
Turn right onto West 14th Street
492 ft
·
20 sec
·
West 14th Street
4
Turn left onto Noble Street
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Noble Street
5
Continue on Old Gadsden Highway
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Old Gadsden Highway
6
Turn right onto Saks Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Saks Road
7
Turn left onto US 431
30 mi
·
42 min
·
US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
4th Street Northwest
9
Turn slight right onto US 278; US 431
28 mi
·
40 min
·
US 278; US 431
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 431; AL 79
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Gunter Avenue
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto US 431; AL 79
319 ft
·
6 sec
·
May Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn slight left onto US 431; AL 79
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Blount Avenue
13
Continue on US 431; AL 79
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Paddle Wheel Drive
14
Continue on US 431; AL 79
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Florida Short Route
15
Continue on US 431
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Florida Short Route
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 431
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US 431
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-565 West: Decatur
18
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13
Toward Madison Boulevard
20
Continue on Madison Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Madison Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Hughes Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Hughes Road
22
Turn left onto Mill Road
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Mill Road
23
Turn left onto Church Street
70 ft
·
1 sec
·
Church Street
24
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Given this route's manageable 2-hour 39-minute duration, you have the flexibility to leave Anniston anytime that suits you. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $17, planning is straightforward. Focus on making steady progress, particularly during the longest stretch on US 431. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for arrival and any activities in Madison. This short drive means you can easily adjust your schedule on the fly.
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 56.2 miles from Anniston, AL, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.1 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 25 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.2 miles or 1h 22m 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 9m
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 Anniston, 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 Anniston, AL
This is one driving day of about 112.4 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Anniston, 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 US 431 for about 46.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.2 mi from Anniston, AL · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.2 miles from Anniston, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.98 one way
$33.95 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $18.63 | $37.27 |
| premium | $4.56 | $20.17 | $40.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.82 | $49.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.80 | $5.40 |
| Efficient EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.83 | $4.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45 | 0 | $15.74 | $7.19 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Madison, AL
Late night in Madison on Thursday
Local time
12:01 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
3 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 39m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Anniston, AL to Madison, AL covers 112.4 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 431, US 278, Florida Short Route. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.2 miles from Anniston, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Gurnee Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (West 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (US 431): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Anniston, AL to Madison, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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