Trip from Red Bay, AL to Madison, AL

Drive Time

1h 49m

Distance

86.8 mi

140 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

1h 41m ★

6 AM

1h 49m

8 AM

2h 6m

10 AM

1h 55m

12 PM

1h 54m

3 PM

1h 56m

5 PM

2h 5m

8 PM

1h 45m

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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Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Red Bay to Madison, expect a straightforward journey covering 86.8 miles across northern Alabama. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize Alabama Highway 24 before transitioning onto I-565 to complete the final leg of your trip. With an estimated fuel cost of just $13, this is an efficient and budget-friendly way to navigate between these two Southeast locations. Because the duration is well under two hours, you do not need to worry about overnight stops, allowing you the flexibility to complete the trip in one go.

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

43.4 miles from Red Bay, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on Alabama Highway 24, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 59.8 miles. The experience is characterized by consistent pavement and efficient transit rather than winding, technical backroads. As you transition from the state highway system onto I-565, the pace of the drive shifts slightly to accommodate the busier infrastructure near your destination. Expect a functional, predictable drive that prioritizes speed and directness over the slower, meandering pace of secondary routes.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Alabama Highway 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Alabama Highway 24 and I 565. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.8 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (AL 24 / Alabama Highway 24): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast

Turn right onto AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast

Navigation decision point

4

0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in | AL 24 / Alabama Highway 24

Turn left onto AL 24 / Alabama Highway 24

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

6

70.3 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast

Turn left onto US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

6

84.5 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Take the exit toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 9 Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway

9

84.8 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Madison

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Exit 9 Toward Madison

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Red Bay, AL to Madison, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Huntsville along the way.

Huntsville

72.6 mi in | ~1h 31m | via US 72 Alternate; AL 20

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Alabama Highway 24	59.8 mi	1h 10m
I 565	8.8 mi	9m
AL 24	7.5 mi	9m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway	3 mi	3m
6th Avenue Northeast	2.3 mi	3m
Moulton Street West	2.2 mi	4m
Sullivan Street	1.1 mi	2m
4th Avenue Southeast	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Alabama Highway 24 — 59.8 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 4th Street Southeast

108 ft · 6 sec · 4th Street Southeast

2

Turn right onto AL 19

0.5 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue Southeast

3

Continue on Winnie Frost Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Winnie Frost Drive

4

Turn left onto AL 24

60 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Alabama Highway 24

Use the straight / right lanes.

5

Continue on AL 24

7.5 mi · 9 min · AL 24

Use the none lane.

6

Continue on Moulton Street West

2.2 mi · 4 min · Moulton Street West

Use the none lane.

7

Turn left onto US 31

2.3 mi · 3 min · 6th Avenue Northeast

Use the left lane.

8

Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20

3.0 mi · 3 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway

Toward Huntsville Use the none lane.

9

Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate

8.8 mi · 9 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate

10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Exit 9 Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway

11

Keep slight left at fork

467 ft · 9 sec

Exit 9 Toward Madison Use the left lane.

12

Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Wall Triana Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

13

Continue on Sullivan Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street

14

Turn right onto Main Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street

15

Continue on Church Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Church Street

16

Arrive at destination

Church Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure around your personal preferences rather than strict fatigue management. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you want to avoid the transition into the denser traffic patterns often found when merging onto I-565. Because there are no designated stops required for a drive of this length, you can easily complete the 86.8-mile distance without needing to refuel mid-journey. Keep a close eye on your speedometer while transitioning between AL 24 and the interstate, as speed limits can change quickly in these zones. Pack your own snacks before you head out, as the lack of planned stops gives you the freedom to drive straight through to Madison.

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 43.4 miles from Red Bay, AL, or about 53m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 43.4 miles or 53m 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 32m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Red Bay, 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 Red Bay, AL

This is one driving day of about 86.8 miles and 1h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Red Bay, 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 Alabama Highway 24 for about 59.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 43.4 mi from Red Bay, AL · 53m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Double Springs, AL

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Huntsville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Double Springs, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.4 miles from Red Bay, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Madison, AL

The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, 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

$13.27 one way

$26.54 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$14.55	$29.11
premium	$4.61	$15.75	$31.51
diesel	$5.64	$19.28	$38.57

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: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	26	$9.11	$4.17
Efficient EV	21.7	$7.59	$3.47
EV Truck/SUV	34.7	$12.15	$5.56

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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Red Bay, AL

Evening in Red Bay on Sunday

Local time

8:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Madison, AL

Evening in Madison on Sunday

Local time

8:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°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

2 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 49m 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 Red Bay, AL to Madison, AL covers 86.8 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Alabama Highway 24, I 565, AL 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 43.4 miles from Red Bay, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.27 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.