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Trip from Florala, AL to Huntsville, AL

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

5h 47m

Distance

304.3 mi

490 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 34m ★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 54m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m

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

Downtown Florala, AL, AL

Florala, AL

Earth Photart

county seat of Madison County, Alabama, United States

Huntsville, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 304-mile drive from Florala, AL to Huntsville, AL is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes. It's a highway-focused journey, with 87% of the route on major roads, making it an efficient way to travel across Alabama. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $46, so plan accordingly. Given its manageable length and straightforward path, this drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entirety of this route.

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

152.1 miles from Florala, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 87% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-65 and AL-55. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 225 miles, primarily on I-65, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While the majority is highway driving, the initial and final segments might involve more local road navigation, particularly on Lockala Avenue. This blend means you'll experience periods of steady highway travel interspersed with more varied road conditions as you enter and exit towns.

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 Lockala Avenue. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 304.3 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: near the start (US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 24.6 miles (US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 283.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue

Turn sharp left onto US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
24.6 mi into trip | ~35m in | US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass

At end of road, turn right onto US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass

Navigation decision point

8
283.7 mi into trip | ~5h 23m 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
284 mi into trip | ~5h 24m 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
303.7 mi into trip | ~5h 46m 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
Lockala Avenue 21.7 mi 30m
AL 55 19.9 mi 23m
I 565 18.9 mi 20m
Mobile Road 9.3 mi 11m
River Falls Street 3.9 mi 6m
Western Bypass 2.7 mi 4m
Jefferson Street North 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 225 mi, about 4h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Florala, AL and Huntsville, AL.

1

Start on Wall Street

98 ft · 11 sec · Wall Street
2

Turn sharp left onto US 331; SR 55

0.5 mi · 52 sec · 5th Avenue
3

Continue on AL 55

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Lockhart Boulevard
4

Continue on AL 55

22 mi · 30 min · Lockala Avenue
5

Turn left onto AL 55

1.9 mi · 2 min · AL 55
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 29; AL 55

2.7 mi · 4 min · Western Bypass
7

Continue on US 29; AL 55

469 ft · 16 sec · River Falls Street
8

Continue on US 84; AL 55

3.8 mi · 6 min · River Falls Street
9

Turn right onto AL 55

18 mi · 20 min · AL 55
10

Continue on US 31; AL 55

9.3 mi · 11 min · Mobile Road
11

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 65

225 mi · 4 hr 5 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

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.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 340A Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
15

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate

19 mi · 20 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
17

Continue on this road

395 ft · 9 sec · this road
Exit 19C Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
18

Keep slight right at fork

343 ft · 8 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North

0.5 mi · 1 min · Jefferson Street North
20

Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest

4 ft · 0 sec · Spring Street Southwest
21

Arrive at destination

Spring Street Southwest

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour and 47-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Florala to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Huntsville. With a longest stretch of 225 miles, plan for one main break around the halfway point to refuel and stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $46, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Florala. Since this is a single-day trip covering 304 miles, you have flexibility in your timing, but staying aware of I-65 conditions will be key for a smooth journey.

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 152.1 miles from Florala, AL, or about 3h 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 152.1 miles or 3h 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 46m

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 Florala, 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 Florala, AL

This is one driving day of about 304.3 miles and 5h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Florala, 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 152.1 mi from Florala, AL · 3h into the drive

city in Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbiana, AL

152 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

Columbiana, AL to Huntsville, AL

134.9 mi · 2h 37m

Pacing Suggestions

Andalusia, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbiana, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 152.1 miles from Florala, 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 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

$45.96 one way

$91.91 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 107 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $50.45 $100.90
premium $4.56 $54.62 $109.24
diesel $5.61 $67.19 $134.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 91.3 1 $31.95 $14.61
Efficient EV 76.1 0 $26.63 $12.17
EV Truck/SUV 121.7 1 $42.60 $19.48

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

36 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Florala, AL

Night in Florala on Tuesday

Local time

11:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Huntsville, AL

Night in Huntsville on Tuesday

Local time

11:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Columbiana, AL

152 mi in

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 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 47m 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 Florala, AL to Huntsville, AL covers 304.3 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Lockala Avenue, 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 152.1 miles from Florala, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.96 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 304.3 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: near the start (US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 24.6 miles (US 29; AL 55 / Western Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 283.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Florala, AL to Huntsville, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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