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Trip from Chelsea, AL to Madison, AL

Drive Time

18m

Distance

11.3 mi

18 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

4 AM
0h 17m ★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 22m
10 AM
0h 20m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 20m
5 PM
0h 21m
8 PM
0h 17m ★

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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Downtown Chelsea, AL, AL

Chelsea, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Madison, AL, AL

Madison, AL

Muhammad Nabeel

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick trip from Chelsea to Madison, Alabama, expect a brief 11.3-mile journey that typically takes about 18 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You will navigate through the Southeast region, utilizing a combination of I-565, Madison Boulevard, and Hughes Road to reach your destination. With a fuel cost estimate of only $2, it is a very budget-friendly drive. This trip is straightforward and efficient, making it an ideal option if you need to travel between these two points quickly without the hassle of a long-distance haul.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

5.6 miles from Chelsea, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that balances short highway bursts with standard suburban navigation. Only 27% of your travel time occurs on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your 18 minutes on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 3-mile segment on I-565, which provides a brief reprieve from the turning and stopping required on Madison Boulevard and Hughes Road. Transitioning from the interstate onto local streets requires constant attention to your surroundings. This drive lacks the monotony of a long-haul interstate cruise, instead demanding a more active and engaged driving style as you navigate the final approach to Madison.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 565 is the longest continuous segment at about 3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Drake Avenue Southwest.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 18m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Drake Avenue Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (I 565; US 72 Alternate): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | Drake Avenue Southwest

Turn left onto Drake Avenue Southwest

Navigation decision point

4
3 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

3
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 565; US 72 Alternate

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

Merge point - match speed before joining

5
6.4 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward Madison Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 13 Toward Madison Boulevard
4
11.3 mi into trip | ~18m in | Church Street

Turn left onto Church Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 565 3 mi 3m
Madison Boulevard 2.5 mi 3m
Hughes Road 1.3 mi 2m
Drake Avenue Southwest 1 mi 1m
Patton Road Southwest 1 mi 1m
Triana Boulevard Southwest 0.5 mi 1m
Jordan Lane Southwest 0.5 mi 1m
Mill Road 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 565 — 3 mi, about 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chelsea, AL and Madison, AL.

1

Start on Triana Boulevard Southwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · Triana Boulevard Southwest
2

Turn left onto Drake Avenue Southwest

1.0 mi · 1 min · Drake Avenue Southwest
3

Turn slight right

174 ft · 7 sec
4

Turn slight right onto Patton Road Southwest

1.0 mi · 1 min · Patton Road Southwest
5

Continue on Jordan Lane Southwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · Jordan Lane Southwest
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
7

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

3.0 mi · 3 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
8

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 13 Toward Madison Boulevard
9

Continue on Madison Boulevard

2.5 mi · 3 min · Madison Boulevard
10

Turn right onto Hughes Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Hughes Road
11

Turn left onto Mill Road

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Mill Road
12

Turn left onto Church Street

70 ft · 1 sec · Church Street
13

Arrive at destination

Church Street

Trip Plan

Since this is such a short, 11.3-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the trip without scheduling any formal stops, as the entire duration is under 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on your navigation when exiting I-565, as the transition to Madison Boulevard and Hughes Road involves several turns that define the character of this route. Given the low $2 fuel cost, you do not need to worry about planning for major refueling stops along the way. Prioritize getting comfortable with the local road layout early, as the technical nature of these turns makes local familiarity more important than highway endurance.

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 5.6 miles from Chelsea, AL, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3 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 11.3 miles or 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 5.6 miles or 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 15m

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 Chelsea, 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 Chelsea, AL

This is one driving day of about 11.3 miles and 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chelsea, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 565 for about 3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 5.6 mi from Chelsea, AL · 9m into the drive

Downtown Huntsville, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Huntsville, AL

6 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.

Popular next leg

Huntsville, AL to Madison, AL

13 mi · 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Huntsville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Huntsville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 5.6 miles from Chelsea, 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

$1.73 one way

$3.45 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 4 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $1.89 $3.79
premium $4.61 $2.05 $4.10
diesel $5.64 $2.51 $5.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 3.4 0 $1.19 $0.54
Efficient EV 2.8 0 $0.99 $0.45
EV Truck/SUV 4.5 0 $1.58 $0.72

Gas CO2

4 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (75% 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 data refreshed 9 hours ago

Origin

Chelsea, AL

Evening in Chelsea on Sunday

Local time

6:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Sunny

SSE 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 3:14AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 10:01PM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

Destination

Madison, AL

Evening in Madison on Sunday

Local time

6:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Sunny

SSE 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 3:14AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 10:01PM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

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

1 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

18m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Chelsea, AL to Madison, AL covers 11.3 miles and takes about 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 565, Madison Boulevard, Hughes Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.6 miles from Chelsea, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.73 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.
This is a straightforward 18m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Drake Avenue Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (I 565; US 72 Alternate): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Chelsea, AL to Madison, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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