This straightforward 134-mile drive from Huntsville to Montevallo, Alabama, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 2 hours and 37 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-65 and I-565, the journey is largely highway-focused, making it an efficient trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $20, it's an economical option for getting between these two points within the Southeast region. You'll find this route to be a practical choice for a quick getaway or a necessary transit, with only one suggested stop to break up the drive. The experience is centered on covering ground efficiently.
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
67 miles from Huntsville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 134 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect an 88% highway experience on this route, dominated by the efficiency of interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 99.6 miles along I-65. This highway-focused profile means you'll be on fast-paced roads for the majority of your journey. While primarily interstate, the route does incorporate Montevallo Road, offering a slight shift in pace as you near your destination. The overall feel is one of consistent travel, with long, open stretches.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 99.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 134 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
20 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1
Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
8
20.1 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
8
94.6 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
95.1 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Huntsville, AL and Montevallo, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale, Montgomery and Saginaw.
Nashville
20 mi in|~22m
Fultondale
94.6 mi in|~1h 43m
Montgomery
95.6 mi in|~1h 44m
Saginaw
121.9 mi in|~2h 15m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
99.6 mi
1h 49m
I 565
18.9 mi
20m
Montevallo Road
9.7 mi
17m
Ashville Road
0.9 mi
1m
1st Street South
0.7 mi
1m
Washington Street Northeast
0.5 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
West Side Square
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville, AL and Montevallo, AL.
1
Start on Spring Street Southwest
4 ft·3 sec·Spring Street Southwest
2
Turn right onto West Side Square
376 ft·16 sec·West Side Square
3
Continue on South Side Square
369 ft·16 sec·South Side Square
4
Turn left onto East Side Square
371 ft·9 sec·East Side Square
5
Continue on Washington Street Southeast
364 ft·9 sec·Washington Street Southeast
6
Continue on Washington Street Northeast
0.5 mi·53 sec·Washington Street Northeast
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
8
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
19 mi·20 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
74 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 65
26 mi·30 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
17
Turn right onto US 31
0.7 mi·1 min·1st Street South
18
Turn left onto AL 119
9.7 mi·17 min·Montevallo Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on AL 119
0.9 mi·1 min·Ashville Road
20
Continue on AL 119
0.4 mi·43 sec·Main Street
21
Turn right onto Middle Street
362 ft·15 sec·Middle Street
22
Turn left onto Valley Street
188 ft·8 sec·Valley Street
23
Arrive at destination
Valley Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 37 minute duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving Huntsville in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. The longest stretch of 99.6 miles on I-65 means you'll want to plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the midpoint or before embarking on that long segment. With a total of only one recommended stop, you have ample room to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-565 to I-65 as your primary navigation points.
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 67 miles from Huntsville, AL, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 29 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67 miles or 1h 14m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montevallo, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, AL
This is one driving day of about 134 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Huntsville, 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 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67 mi from Huntsville, AL
· 1h 14m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 101.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.24 one way
$40.47 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$22.22
$44.43
premium
$4.56
$24.05
$48.10
diesel
$5.61
$29.59
$59.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
55 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Blink Charging Station
Montevallo, Alabama
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Cullman, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Cullman, Alabama
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Madison, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Huntsville, Alabama
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Alabaster, Alabama
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Huntsville, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Good Hope, Alabama
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 21
Blink: 11
Other: 11
Tesla: 4
Tesla Destination: 3
EVgo: 2
EV Connect: 2
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.2
0
$14.07
$6.43
Efficient EV
33.5
0
$11.73
$5.36
EV Truck/SUV
53.6
0
$18.76
$8.58
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Huntsville, AL
Evening
in Huntsville on Friday
Local time
8:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montevallo, AL
Evening
in Montevallo on Friday
Local time
8:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Kimberly, AL
67 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
1 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 37m 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 Huntsville, AL to Montevallo, AL covers 134 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 565, Montevallo 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 67 miles from Huntsville, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.24 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 134 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Huntsville, AL and Montevallo, AL, road signs point toward Nashville, Fultondale, Montgomery and Saginaw.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
