The drive from Stewartville, AL to Madison, AL covers 142.8 miles and takes about 2h 52m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, US 280, US 231 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.2 miles on I 65.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
71.4 miles from Stewartville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 142.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 52m highway drive covering 142.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and US 280. The longest continuous stretch is about 77.2 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 22 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 77.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 280. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.5 miles in near US 280.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 142.8 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: at 48.5 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
48.5 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
8
131.3 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
131.6 mi into trip|~2h 37m 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...
6
140.5 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
140.8 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Stewartville, AL to Madison, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Huntsville along the way.
Huntsville
131.3 mi in|~2h 36m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
77.2 mi
1h 23m
US 280
26.1 mi
35m
US 231
18.1 mi
24m
I 565
8.4 mi
9m
Broadway Avenue
4.4 mi
4m
Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi
3m
Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stewartville, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on County Road 41
172 ft·7 sec·County Road 41
2
Turn right onto US 231; AL 21
4.4 mi·4 min·Broadway Avenue
3
Continue on US 231; AL 21
0.2 mi·21 sec·Rockford Highway
4
Turn left onto US 231
18 mi·24 min·US 231
5
Continue on US 280
26 mi·34 min·US 280
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 280
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
7
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.9 mi·3 min·Red Mountain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 31
1.5 mi·3 min·Carraway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn left onto AL 378
0.6 mi·1 min·Finley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto 19th Street North
49 ft·1 sec·19th Street North
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 65 North
12
Merge onto I 65
77 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 340Toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 340AToward I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
15
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alternate
8.4 mi·9 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 9Toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
17
Keep slight left at fork
467 ft·9 sec
Exit 9Toward MadisonUse the left lane.
18
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi·27 sec·Wall Triana Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Sullivan Street
20
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
21
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Church Street
22
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
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 71.4 miles from Stewartville, AL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 31 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.4 miles or 1h 32m 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 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 Stewartville, 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 Stewartville, AL
This is one driving day of about 142.8 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Stewartville, 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 77.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.4 mi from Stewartville, AL
· 1h 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from Stewartville, 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 77.2 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.57 one way
$43.13 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$23.67
$47.35
premium
$4.56
$25.63
$51.26
diesel
$5.61
$31.53
$63.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.8
0
$14.99
$6.85
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.50
$5.71
EV Truck/SUV
57.1
0
$19.99
$9.14
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Stewartville, AL
Evening
in Stewartville on Friday
Local time
7:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, AL
Evening
in Madison on Friday
Local time
7:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Birmingham, AL
71 mi in
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 52m 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 Stewartville, AL to Madison, AL covers 142.8 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, US 280, US 231. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.4 miles from Stewartville, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.57 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 15 significant decision points across 142.8 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: at 48.5 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Stewartville, AL to Madison, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Huntsville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
