Origin
Madison, AL
Evening in Madison on Sunday
Local time
6:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madison, AL to Gadsden, AL
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
83.7 mi
135 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Gadsden, AL
Gabriele Niek
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Madison to Gadsden, Alabama, you are looking at a straightforward 83.7-mile journey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 58 minutes behind the wheel for this trip. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should cover your travel costs, keeping the trip quite affordable. Both cities are situated within the Southeast region, making this a localized transit between two Alabama hubs. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
41.9 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a turn-heavy, local-road profile that keeps you engaged rather than cruising on a monotonous interstate. With only 7% of the drive spent on highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local corridors. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 36.3 miles along Governors Drive Southwest, which serves as the primary backbone of your trek. You will also utilize Florida Short Route and I-565 to navigate the transition between the two cities. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience where the road demands your full attention as you move through the winding segments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Governors Drive Southwest is the longest continuous segment at about 36.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 83.7 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 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles (US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (US 431): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
9.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
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
Toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Par...
5
10.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest
Merge onto US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
10.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 431
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431 toward Governors Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Governors Drive
6
78.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
5th Avenue Northwest
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
83.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
North 6th Street
Turn right onto North 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Governors Drive Southwest | 36.3 mi | 45m |
| Florida Short Route | 28.1 mi | 40m |
| I 565 | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| West Meighan Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Madison Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Gunter Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| 5th Avenue Northwest | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Hughes Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Governors Drive Southwest
— 36.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Gadsden, AL.
1
Start on Church Street
70 ft
·
3 sec
·
Church Street
2
Turn right onto Mill Road
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Mill Road
3
Turn right onto Hughes Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Hughes Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Madison Boulevard
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Madison Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
this road
Exit 19A
Toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
9
Merge onto US 231; US 431
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Memorial Parkway Southwest
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 431
Toward Governors Drive
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 431
36 mi
·
45 min
·
Governors Drive Southwest
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 431; AL 79
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Gunter Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 431
28 mi
·
40 min
·
Florida Short Route
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
4th Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
5th Avenue Northwest
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 278; US 431
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West Meighan Boulevard
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto North 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North 6th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
South 6th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 83.7-mile stretch without needing scheduled stops for rest or refueling, provided you start with a full tank. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means your travel time might fluctuate based on local traffic conditions. Because the drive is under two hours, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid typical commuter rushes. Given the concentration of turns, ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent steering adjustments rather than long, straight-line highway cruising.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.9 miles from Madison, AL, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.3 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 54m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gadsden, 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 83.7 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Madison, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Governors Drive Southwest for about 36.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.9 mi from Madison, AL · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.9 miles from Madison, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gadsden, AL
The final approach into Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.80 one way
$25.59 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.03 | $28.07 |
| premium | $4.61 | $15.19 | $30.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.60 | $37.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Gadsden, AL
Evening in Gadsden on Sunday
Local time
6:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°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
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
1h 58m 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 Madison, AL to Gadsden, AL covers 83.7 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Governors Drive Southwest, Florida Short Route, I 565. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.9 miles from Madison, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.80 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 83.7 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 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles (US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (US 431): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Madison, AL to Gadsden, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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