Origin
Montevallo, AL
Night in Montevallo on Wednesday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montevallo, AL to Huntsville, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
133.4 mi
215 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
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.
Montevallo, AL
Magda Ehlers
Huntsville, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 133.4-mile drive from Montevallo to Huntsville, Alabama, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 36 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-65 and I-565, this route is largely highway-focused, making it an ideal day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, it's an economical option for exploring within the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so it's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause is all that's needed to break up the drive.
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
66.7 miles from Montevallo, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 90% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-65 and I-565. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 100.7 miles on I-65, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving speeds. While Montevallo Road will be part of your journey, the bulk of the travel is on high-speed, controlled-access highways. This profile means you'll experience a consistent driving rhythm for the majority of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 100.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 565. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 133.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 11.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
11.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the ramp toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
12.1 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
112.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 340
Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate:...
7
113.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 340A
Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsv...
9
132.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Jefferson Street, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Jefferson Street, Downtown
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 100.7 mi | 1h 50m |
| I 565 | 18.9 mi | 20m |
| Montevallo Road | 9.7 mi | 17m |
| Ashville Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 1st Street South | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Street North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Middle Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 100.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montevallo, AL and Huntsville, AL.
1
Start on Valley Street
188 ft
·
10 sec
·
Valley Street
2
Turn right onto Middle Street
362 ft
·
15 sec
·
Middle Street
3
Turn left onto AL 119
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on AL 119
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashville Road
5
Continue on AL 119
9.7 mi
·
17 min
·
Montevallo Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto US 31
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street South
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 65
101 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 340
Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 340A
Toward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
11
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alternate
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
13
Continue on this road
395 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 19C
Toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
14
Keep slight right at fork
343 ft
·
8 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Street North
16
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
4 ft
·
0 sec
·
Spring Street Southwest
17
Arrive at destination
Spring Street Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 36 minutes, this trip offers considerable flexibility for when you depart. Leaving Montevallo in the morning will allow you ample time in Huntsville without feeling rushed. With the longest stretch on I-65 being over 100 miles, plan your fuel stop accordingly, perhaps before you embark on that segment. The $20 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially on longer interstate stretches. A single stop is recommended, so consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs.
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 66.7 miles from Montevallo, AL, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.7 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 29 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.7 miles or 1h 21m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Huntsville, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Montevallo, 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 Montevallo, AL
This is one driving day of about 133.4 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Montevallo, 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 100.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.7 mi from Montevallo, AL · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.7 miles from Montevallo, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.7 miles.
Arriving in Huntsville, AL
The final approach into Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, AL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.15 one way
$40.29 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $22.12 | $44.23 |
| premium | $4.56 | $23.94 | $47.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.45 | $58.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40 | 0 | $14.01 | $6.40 |
| Efficient EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.67 | $5.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.68 | $8.54 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Huntsville, AL
Night in Huntsville on Wednesday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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 cooler 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 Montevallo, AL to Huntsville, AL covers 133.4 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 I 65, I 565, Montevallo Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.7 miles from Montevallo, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.15 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 133.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Montevallo, AL to Huntsville, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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