Origin
Madison, AL
Late night in Madison on Wednesday
Local time
4:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountData updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
66.3 mi
107 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Cleveland, AL
Wikimedia Commons
This 66.3-mile drive from Madison, Alabama, to Cleveland, Alabama, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 31 minutes. With 92% of the route on highways, it's a quick and efficient trip, perfect for a single-day excursion. The estimated fuel cost for this leg is around $10, making it an economical option. Since this is a relatively short, highway-focused drive, you won't need to worry about overnight stays; it's designed for direct travel through the Southeast region of Alabama. Plan for minimal stops, as the longest continuous stretch on a main road is 27.8 miles.
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
33.1 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Loading map...
Your drive will be predominantly highway-focused, with 92% of the 66.3 miles utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the North Brindlee Mountain Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 27.8 miles. Expect a consistent pace for much of the journey, as the profile indicates a highway-centric experience rather than a winding, scenic byway. While the majority is highway, the transition between Memorial Parkway Southwest, I-565, and the North Brindlee Mountain Parkway will offer minor variations in the driving environment as you progress toward Cleveland.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Brindlee Mountain Parkway and Memorial Parkway Southwest. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mill Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 (Mill Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Mill Road
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Continue toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 231 / Memorial Parkway Southwest
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Brindlee Mountain Parkway | 27.8 mi | 40m |
| Memorial Parkway Southwest | 27.1 mi | 35m |
| I 565 | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Madison Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Hughes Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| US 231 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Mill Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| AL 160 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Cleveland, AL.
Start on Church Street
Turn right onto Mill Road
Turn right onto Hughes Road
At end of road, turn left onto Madison Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Merge onto US 231; US 431
Keep slight left at fork onto US 231
Continue on US 231
Turn left onto US 231
Turn right onto AL 160
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1 hour and 31-minute duration and 66.3-mile length, this route offers significant flexibility. You can depart at your leisure without needing to break up the drive. The estimated fuel cost of $10 is minimal, so ensure your tank is topped off before you leave Madison. Because the longest stretch is nearly 28 miles, plan for your first quick break after that segment if needed, or simply wait until you reach Cleveland. Keep an eye on your GPS as you navigate the transitions between Memorial Parkway Southwest, I-565, and the North Brindlee Mountain Parkway to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey.
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.
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 66.3 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.1 miles or 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Madison, 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 Madison, AL
This is one driving day of about 66.3 miles and 1h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.1 mi from Madison, AL · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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.
A short stop after about 66.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 33.1 miles from Madison, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$10.01 one way
$20.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $10.99 | $21.98 |
| premium | $4.56 | $11.90 | $23.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.96 | $3.18 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.80 | $2.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.28 | $4.24 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Madison on Wednesday
Local time
4:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Cleveland on Wednesday
Local time
4:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Madison, AL or browse trips ending in Cleveland, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Madison, AL or Cleveland, AL on MapSof.net.