Trip from Fairfield, 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 19m

Distance

271.5 mi

437 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 6m ★

6 AM

5h 19m

8 AM

5h 46m

10 AM

5h 29m

12 PM

5h 26m

3 PM

5h 30m

5 PM

5h 45m

8 PM

5h 11m

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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Fairfield, AL

Taryn Elliott

Madison, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Fairfield, AL to Madison, AL covers 271.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m 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 mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 225 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.00 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

135.8 miles from Fairfield, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 65	225 mi	4h 5m
AL 55	12.3 mi	14m
Mobile Road	9.3 mi	11m
Loango Road	8.5 mi	20m
I 565	8.4 mi	9m
Ealum Mill Road	2.3 mi	5m
Judge Smith Road	1.9 mi	4m
Sullivan Street	1.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 65 — 225 mi, about 4h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on CR 7

1.9 mi · 4 min · Judge Smith Road

Turn right onto CR 7

8.5 mi · 20 min · Loango Road

Continue on CR 7

2.3 mi · 5 min · Ealum Mill Road

At end of road, turn left onto CR 107

204 ft · 10 sec · County Road 107

Turn right onto County Road 82

0.3 mi · 53 sec · County Road 82

Turn sharp left onto AL 55

12 mi · 14 min · AL 55

Continue on US 31; AL 55

9.3 mi · 11 min · Mobile Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 65

225 mi · 4 hr 5 min · I 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 340A Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

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

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Exit 9 Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway

Keep slight left at fork

467 ft · 9 sec

Exit 9 Toward Madison Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Wall Triana Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on Sullivan Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street

Turn right onto Main Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street

Continue on Church Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Church Street

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 135.8 miles from Fairfield, AL, or about 2h 47m 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 60 miles or 1h 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 135.8 miles or 2h 47m 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 22m

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 Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, AL

This is one driving day of about 271.5 miles and 5h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Fairfield, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Thorsby, AL

136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbiana, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.8 miles from Fairfield, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Seeds Coffee Co. - Homewood

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Birmingham, Alabama

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12052596405

Visit website

El Taco Loco

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Birmingham, Alabama

2.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Madison, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 271.5

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12564891223

Visit website

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hoover, Alabama

1.8 mi

Daily Edition

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Homewood, Alabama

1.9 mi

Seeds Coffee Co. - Homewood

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12052596405

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 174.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+12058488147

Visit website

Logan's Roadhouse

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 97

Prattville, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13342859900

Visit website

El Taco Loco

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12059410108

Visit website

Johnny's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+12058022711

Visit website

Habaneros Mexican Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12053267170

Shiki Birmingham

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 174.6

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12057835222

Visit website

Alamitos Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 232.7

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12567348020

Visit website

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 271.5

Madison, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12564891223

Visit website

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.6

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–4:30 pm

+12057689732

Visit website

Daily Edition

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.6

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12055278007

Rickenbacker's Touch & Go Coffee Shop

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13349537662

Makers Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 193.9

Morris, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

Visit website

Red Tail Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 97

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13345174796

Visit website

Galleria Coffee 168

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.6

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12055414348

Prevail Union | MGM

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 97

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13344168399

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 77.6

Hope Hull, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13346130212

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 77.6

Hope Hull, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13346130212

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 232.7

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 271.5

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 232.7

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 252.1

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12563535252

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 174.6

Hoover, Alabama

+12057397141

Visit website

Breakout Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 174.6

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 9:45 am–10:30 pm

+12052824798

Visit website

Aldridge Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 174.6

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+12057396558

Visit website

Vulcan Park and Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 174.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12059331409

Visit website

Birmingham Zoo

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 174.6

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12058790409

Visit website

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 12.7 and 269.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

12.7 mi into trip | ~30m in | CR 107 / County Road 107

At end of road, turn left onto CR 107 / County Road 107

Navigation decision point

260 mi into trip | ~5h 3m 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:...

260.3 mi into trip | ~5h 4m 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...

269.2 mi into trip | ~5h 14m 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

269.5 mi into trip | ~5h 14m 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

$41.00 one way

$82.01 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$45.01	$90.02
premium	$4.56	$48.73	$97.46
diesel	$5.61	$59.94	$119.89

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: 95 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	81.5	1	$28.51	$13.03
Efficient EV	67.9	0	$23.76	$10.86
EV Truck/SUV	108.6	1	$38.01	$17.38

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fairfield, AL

Afternoon in Fairfield on Saturday

Local time

12:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Madison, AL

Afternoon in Madison on Saturday

Local time

12:39 PM

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

4 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

5h 19m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 177.9

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

271.5 mi in 5h 19m, mostly highway — 225 mi of that is on I 65.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 225 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and AL 55. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.7 miles in near CR 107 / County Road 107.

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 271.5 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 12.7 miles (CR 107 / County Road 107): Navigation decision point; at 260 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 271.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 225 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Madison, AL before the return drive.

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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Explore more options from Fairfield, AL or browse trips ending in Madison, AL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.

Trip from Fairfield, AL to Madison, AL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Seeds Coffee Co. - Homewood

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

Seeds Coffee Co. - Homewood

Taco Bell

Logan's Roadhouse

El Taco Loco

Johnny's Restaurant

Habaneros Mexican Grill

Shiki Birmingham

Alamitos Mexican Restaurant

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

Daily Edition

Rickenbacker's Touch & Go Coffee Shop

Makers Coffee

Red Tail Cafe

Galleria Coffee 168

Prevail Union | MGM

EVgo Charging Station

Flying J EV Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot EV Charging Station

Dublin Park

Kids Kingdom

Sportsman Lake Park

Moss Rock Preserve

Breakout Games

Aldridge Gardens

Vulcan Park and Museum

Birmingham Zoo

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fairfield, AL

Madison, AL

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 19m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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