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Trip from Madison, AL to Fairfield, AL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

272 mi

438 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 7m ★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 12m

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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city in Alabama, United States

Madison, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fairfield, AL, AL

Fairfield, AL

Taryn Elliott

Trip Overview

The drive from Madison, AL to Fairfield, AL covers 272 miles and takes about 5h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, Crum Foshee Highway, AL 106 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 223.9 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.08 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

136 miles from Madison, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 223.9 mi 4h 4m
Crum Foshee Highway 12.3 mi 14m
AL 106 9.4 mi 11m
I 565 8.5 mi 9m
Loango Road 8.5 mi 20m
Ealum Mill Road 2.3 mi 5m
Judge Smith Road 1.9 mi 4m
Sullivan Street 1.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 223.9 mi, about 4h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Church Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Church Street
2

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · this road
3

Continue on Main Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Main Street
4

Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Continue on Wall Triana Highway

454 ft · 11 sec · Wall Triana Highway
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward 565: Decatur
7

Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alt

8.5 mi · 9 min · I 565; US 72 Alt
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 1 Toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 1 Toward I 65 South: Birmingham Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 65

74 mi · 1 hr 18 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 38 sec
Exit 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Toward Montgomery Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 65

150 mi · 2 hr 45 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward 106, 55: Georgiana, Starlington
16

Turn left onto AL 106; AL 55

9.4 mi · 11 min · AL 106; AL 55
17

Continue on AL 55

12 mi · 14 min · Crum Foshee Highway
18

Turn right onto County Road 82

0.3 mi · 58 sec · County Road 82
19

At end of road, turn left onto CR 107

204 ft · 10 sec · County Road 107
20

Turn right onto CR 7

2.3 mi · 5 min · Ealum Mill Road
21

Continue on CR 7

8.5 mi · 20 min · Loango Road
22

At end of road, turn left onto CR 7

1.9 mi · 4 min · Judge Smith Road
23

Arrive at destination

CR 7

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 136 miles from Madison, AL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.9 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 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 136 miles or 2h 30m 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 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 272 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Madison, 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 223.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Thorsby, AL, AL

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

Hayden, 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 136 miles from Madison, 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 223.9 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

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12052596405

Visit website

El Taco Loco

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Birmingham, Alabama

2.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Madison, Alabama

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12564891223

Visit website

Daily Edition

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Homewood, Alabama

1.7 mi

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hoover, Alabama

2 mi

Seeds Coffee Co. - Homewood

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12052596405

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 97.1

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+12058488147

Visit website

El Taco Loco

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12059410108

Visit website

Logan's Roadhouse

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 174.9

Prattville, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13342859900

Visit website

Johnny's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+12058022711

Visit website

Shiki Birmingham

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 97.1

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12057835222

Visit website

Habaneros Mexican Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12053267170

Alamitos Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 38.9

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12567348020

Visit website

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Madison, AL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Madison, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12564891223

Visit website

Daily Edition

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 97.1

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12055278007

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 97.1

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–4:30 pm

+12057689732

Visit website

Makers Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.7

Morris, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

Visit website

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 174.9

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13349537662

Red Tail Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.9

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13345174796

Visit website

FILTER-Coffee Parlor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+12052026422

Prevail Union | MGM

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.9

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13344168399

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 194.3

Hope Hull, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13346130212

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 194.3

Hope Hull, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13346130212

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 38.9

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

EVgo Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 19.4

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12563535252

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 19.4

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12563535252

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 38.9

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 174.9

Prattville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Dublin Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Madison, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12567729300

Visit website

Kids Kingdom

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Madison, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12563872194

Visit website

Breakout Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 97.1

Homewood, Alabama

Hours: 9:45 am–10:30 pm

+12052824798

Visit website

Sportsman Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 38.9

Cullman, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12567343052

Visit website

Moss Rock Preserve

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 97.1

Hoover, Alabama

+12057397141

Visit website

Aldridge Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 97.1

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+12057396558

Visit website

Vulcan Park and Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 97.1

Birmingham, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12059331409

Visit website

Birmingham Zoo

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 97.1

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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 86.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Sullivan Street

Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
8
10.8 mi into trip | ~14m 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
85.3 mi into trip | ~1h 34m 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
85.8 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
86.3 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.08 one way

$82.16 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $45.09 $90.19
premium $4.56 $48.82 $97.64
diesel $5.61 $60.05 $120.11

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: 95.2 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 81.6 1 $28.56 $13.06
Efficient EV 68 0 $23.80 $10.88
EV Truck/SUV 108.8 1 $38.08 $17.41

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

Madison, AL

Afternoon in Madison on Saturday

Local time

12:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairfield, AL

Afternoon in Fairfield on Saturday

Local time

12:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 20m 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

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 93.8
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

272 mi in 5h 20m, mostly highway — 223.9 mi of that is on I 65.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.9 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Crum Foshee Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Sullivan Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 272 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 0.6 miles (Sullivan Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Madison, AL and Fairfield, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale, Montgomery, 55: Georgiana and Starlington.

Fultondale

85.3 mi in | ~1h 34m

Montgomery

86.3 mi in | ~1h 35m

55: Georgiana

236.9 mi in | ~4h 21m

Starlington

236.9 mi in | ~4h 21m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 272 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 223.9 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 Fairfield, 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Sullivan Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fairfield, 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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