Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
86.7 mi
140 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Red Bay, AL
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 86.7-mile drive from Madison to Red Bay, Alabama, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just over 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate on AL 24 and I-565, with a brief section on Gordon Terry Parkway, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $13, this is an economical journey. Given its relatively short length and straightforward nature, it's perfect for a quick excursion within the Southeast region without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.4 miles from Madison, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 86.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 87% of the journey on major roads. Expect a relatively smooth and efficient trip, largely characterized by the ease of interstate travel. You'll experience a longest stretch of 59.7 miles on AL 24, which provides a good opportunity to settle in for a sustained period of driving. The road's personality is consistent, offering a practical and direct path between your starting point in Madison and your destination in Red Bay.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 24 and I 565. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Sullivan Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 52m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.9 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward 565: Decatur
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 24 | 59.7 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 565 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| Gordon Terry Parkway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| Huntsville-Decatur Highway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Moulton Street East | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Bee Line Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Sullivan Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| 4th Avenue Southeast | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Red Bay, AL.
Start on Church Street
Continue on this road
Continue on Main Street
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
Continue on Wall Triana Highway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alt
Continue on US 72 Alternate; SR 20
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
Continue on Gordon Terry Parkway
Continue on AL 24
Continue on AL 24
Turn right
Continue on Winnie Frost Drive
Continue on 4th Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
Arrive at destination
Consider departing in the morning to take full advantage of daylight, especially since this is a single-day trip. You'll find the 1 hour and 52-minute duration allows for flexibility in your schedule. With a fuel cost of only $13, you won't need to worry too much about frequent stops for gas. Keep an eye out for the transition points between the different roadways mentioned, particularly AL 24 and I-565, to ensure you're on the most efficient path. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan any personal breaks as needed.
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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.4 miles or 57m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Bay, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Madison, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Madison, AL
This is one driving day of about 86.7 miles and 1h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.4 mi from Madison, AL · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 43.4 miles from Madison, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Red Bay, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.09 one way
$26.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.37 | $28.75 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.56 | $31.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.14 | $38.28 |
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: 30.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26 | 0 | $9.10 | $4.16 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.14 | $5.55 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Evening in Madison on Thursday
Local time
5:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Red Bay on Thursday
Local time
5:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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