Origin
Madison, AL
Late night in Madison on Thursday
Local time
3:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madison, AL to Jacksonville, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
108 mi
174 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Jacksonville, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from Madison, Alabama, your journey to Jacksonville, Alabama, covers 108 miles and is estimated to take around 2 hours and 36 minutes. This straightforward drive through the Southeast region is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The route primarily utilizes Governors Drive Southwest and AL 204, offering a local feel with frequent turns. You'll find this drive to be a practical and manageable excursion, ideal for a short break or a visit to a nearby destination.
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
54 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 108 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route is characterized by its turn-heavy local driving profile, meaning you'll be navigating a series of intersections and changes in direction. Only 14% of the drive is on highways, so expect a more intimate experience with the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.3 miles along Governors Drive Southwest. As you progress, the road's personality shifts from urban connectors to more regional arteries, requiring your attention to navigation and speed adjustments. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a more engaged drive through the heart of Alabama.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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 early in the drive near Mill Road.
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 108 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: 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 10.3 miles (US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Mill Road
Turn right onto Mill Road
Navigation decision point
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.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Governors Drive Southwest | 36.3 mi | 45m |
| Florida Short Route | 28.1 mi | 40m |
| AL 204 | 9.6 mi | 16m |
| West Meighan Boulevard | 9 mi | 15m |
| Chastain Boulevard East | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| I 565 | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Madison Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Gunter Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Governors Drive Southwest
— 36.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Jacksonville, 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 straight / right lanes.
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
9.0 mi
·
15 min
·
West Meighan Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 431
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Chastain Boulevard East
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto AL 204
9.6 mi
·
16 min
·
AL 204
19
Turn right onto AL 21
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Pelham Road North
20
Arrive at destination
AL 21
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 36-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight hours. With only one stop recommended and a relatively short distance of 108 miles, you have plenty of flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking, as the $16 estimated cost reflects a shorter journey. Pay close attention to local road signage and speed limits as you transition between different road types, particularly on AL 204. A good tip is to download offline maps, as cell service can be spotty on some of the local stretches.
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 54 miles from Madison, AL, or about 1h 12m 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 24 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54 miles or 1h 12m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, 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 108 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 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 54 mi from Madison, AL · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54 miles from Madison, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jacksonville, AL
The final approach into Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, 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
$16.31 one way
$32.62 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $17.91 | $35.81 |
| premium | $4.56 | $19.38 | $38.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.85 | $47.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.34 | $5.18 |
| Efficient EV | 27 | 0 | $9.45 | $4.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.12 | $6.91 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Jacksonville, AL
Late night in Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
3:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
2h 36m 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 Jacksonville, AL covers 108 miles and takes about 2h 36m 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, AL 204. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54 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 $16.31 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 12 significant decision points across 108 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: 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 10.3 miles (US 231; US 431 / Memorial Parkway Southwest): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Madison, AL to Jacksonville, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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