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Trip from Semmes, AL to Madison, AL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 29m

Distance

350.5 mi

564 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 17m ★
6 AM
6h 29m
8 AM
6h 54m
10 AM
6h 38m
12 PM
6h 35m
3 PM
6h 39m
5 PM
6h 53m
8 PM
6h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Semmes, AL, AL

Semmes, AL

MAMADO CONF

city in Alabama, United States

Madison, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Semmes, AL to Madison, AL covers 350.5 miles and takes about 6h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, I 565, Industrial Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 325.9 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.93 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

175.3 miles from Semmes, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 29m highway drive covering 350.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 565. The longest continuous stretch is about 325.9 miles on I 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 325.9 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 early in the drive.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 350.5 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 12.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 339 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 points

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

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

At end of road, turn right

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
12.8 mi into trip | ~19m in

Turn left toward I 65 North: Montgomery

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 65 North: Montgomery
8
339 mi into trip | ~6h 13m 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
339.3 mi into trip | ~6h 14m 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
348.5 mi into trip | ~6h 24m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 325.9 mi 5h 53m
I 565 8.4 mi 9m
Industrial Parkway 7.4 mi 9m
Moffett Road 2.4 mi 4m
Schillinger Road North 2.1 mi 3m
Sullivan Street 1.1 mi 2m
Newburn Road 0.9 mi 1m
Church Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 325.9 mi, about 5h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

118 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right

133 ft · 6 sec
3

Turn right onto US 98

2.4 mi · 4 min · Moffett Road
4

Turn sharp left onto CR 31

2.1 mi · 3 min · Schillinger Road North
5

Continue on Newburn Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Newburn Road
6

Turn right onto AL 158

7.4 mi · 9 min · Industrial Parkway
7

Turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 65 North: Montgomery Use the left lane.
8

Merge onto I 65

326 mi · 5 hr 53 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

8.4 mi · 9 min · I 565; US 72 Alternate
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Exit 9 Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
13

Keep slight left at fork

467 ft · 9 sec
Exit 9 Toward Madison Use the left lane.
14

Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Continue on Sullivan Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street
16

Turn right onto Main Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
17

Continue on Church Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Church Street
18

Arrive at destination

Church Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.3 miles from Semmes, AL, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 325.9 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 77 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 175.3 miles or 3h 15m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 21m

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 Semmes, 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 Semmes, AL

This is one driving day of about 350.5 miles and 6h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Semmes, 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 325.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 175.3 mi from Semmes, AL · 3h 15m into the drive

city in Alabama, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clanton, AL

175 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.

Popular next leg

Clanton, AL to Madison, AL

142.8 mi · 2h 41m

Pacing Suggestions

Brewton, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clanton, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 175.3 miles from Semmes, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 325.9 miles.

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.

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

$52.93 one way

$105.87 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $58.11 $116.22
premium $4.56 $62.91 $125.82
diesel $5.61 $77.39 $154.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 122.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 105.1 1 $36.80 $16.82
Efficient EV 87.6 1 $30.67 $14.02
EV Truck/SUV 140.2 1 $49.07 $22.43

Gas CO2

123 kg

EV CO2

41 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 as of Apr 9, 2026

Origin

Semmes, AL

Night in Semmes on Wednesday

Local time

11:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Madison, AL

Night in Madison on Wednesday

Local time

11:39 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

6 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

6h 29m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Semmes, AL to Madison, AL covers 350.5 miles and takes about 6h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 565, Industrial Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 175.3 miles from Semmes, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 350.5 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 12.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 339 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Semmes, AL to Madison, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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