How far is Auburn, AL from Madison, AL?

The driving distance from Auburn, AL to Madison, AL is about 201.9 miles (325 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
201.91 mi
03h 21m
Flight
161.72 mi
260.27 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Auburn.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
161.72 mi
Kilometers
260.27 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
201.91 mi
Kilometers
324.95 km
Drive Time
03h 21m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 4:20 AM CDT
Return by in Auburn
Thu, Apr 23, 7:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Auburn
2026-04-23T00:58
Arrive Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 4:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:18 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Auburn
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lake Purdy
AL

City in Shelby County, Alabama, United States of America

From Auburn
100.3 mi
01h 40m
To Madison
101.6 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E
Destination
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Auburn and Madison.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn and Madison.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    89 m · 24 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North College Street

    4 mi · 6 min · North College Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North College Street

    24 m · 1 sec · North College Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto North College Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · North College Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left toward North College Street

    50 m · 3 sec · North College Street

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    13.8 mi · 16 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    6.4 mi · 8 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    12.9 mi · 15 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    25.5 mi · 31 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    42.8 mi · 57 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham

    1901 ft · 30 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway

  13. 13

    Continue on Carraway Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Finley Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 19th Street North

    15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North

  16. 16

    Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North

    771 ft · 19 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    77.2 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville

    2761 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    8.4 mi · 9 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway

    1397 ft · 27 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Madison

    142 m · 9 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

    1393 ft · 28 sec · Wall Triana Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on Sullivan Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1393 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Church Street

    1544 ft · 42 sec · Church Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Church Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Auburn and Madison.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North College Street
106 mi · 53%
I 65 North
77.3 mi · 38%
I 565 East
9.28 mi · 5%
Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 1%
Carraway Boulevard
1.51 mi · 1%
Sullivan Street
1.12 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight left

77.2 mi · 01h 23m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.2 mi
161.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Purdy
01h 40m from Auburn
Leave By
10:18 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Auburn and Sunny near Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Auburn to Madison?

The road trip is about 201.9 miles (325 km) and usually takes 03h 21m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lake Purdy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.3 miles from Auburn and 101.6 miles from Madison.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:18 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.96 one way or $53.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Auburn and Sunny near Madison.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Purdy

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lake Purdy, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Purdy.

RAIL

Birmingham

15 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

70 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Anniston

82 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

86 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Auburn and Madison. Straight-line distance: 161.72 mi (260.27 km).

Auburn

#1 Auburn

The most populous city in Lee County, Alabama.

Population68,343
Coordinates32.6098600, -85.4807800
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.

Population52,654
Coordinates34.6992600, -86.7483300
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: (-85.480913, 32.609482)
End: Church Street (-86.748391, 34.699261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 325 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.12 gal
26.97 L · about $26.96
Round trip
$53.93
14.24 gal · 53.94 L
Estimated CO2
63.3 kg one way
Round trip: 126.6 kg / 279 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $26.96 $53.93
Mid-grade $4.26 $30.32 $60.65
Premium $4.63 $32.93 $65.86
Diesel $5.42 $38.55 $77.11

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Alabama · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Auburn and Madison. The current time is 00:58:50.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.