How far is Clayton, AL from Madison, AL?

The driving distance from Clayton, AL to Madison, AL is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 208.8 miles (336.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 28m 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
254.97 mi
04h 14m
Flight
208.84 mi
336.1 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clayton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
208.84 mi
Kilometers
336.1 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
254.97 mi
Kilometers
410.34 km
Drive Time
04h 14m

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 04h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Sat, May 2, 4:20 PM CDT
Return by in Clayton
Sat, May 2, 8:34 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clayton
2026-05-02T12:06
Arrive Madison
Sat, May 2, 4:20 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:32 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clayton
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
Union Grove
AL

City in Marshall County, Alabama, United States of America

From Clayton
128.3 mi
02h 07m
To Madison
126.8 mi
02h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
65°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely then Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Midway Street

    35 m · 7 sec · North Midway Street

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left

    37 m · 5 sec

  3. 3

    Keep slight left

    66 m · 6 sec

  4. 4

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

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Midway Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Western Bypass

    15 mi · 22 min · Western Bypass

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Old Broadway Street

    11.9 mi · 15 min · Old Broadway Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Conecuh Avenue West

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Conecuh Avenue West

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Martin Luther King Boulevard

    1013 ft · 33 sec · Martin Luther King Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Blackmon Avenue West

    1727 ft · 55 sec · Blackmon Avenue West

  10. 10

    Continue on Baskin Street

    27.2 mi · 37 min · Baskin Street

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on US 82 West, US 231 North: Montgomery

    12.4 mi · 16 min

  12. 12

    Continue on McGehee Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Carter Hill Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Zelda Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Ann Street

    911 ft · 27 sec · Ann Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Ann Street South

    1322 ft · 32 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I-65 North: Birmingham

    1759 ft · 43 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    167.9 mi · 3 hr 4 min

  20. 20

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

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  21. 21

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

    2761 ft · 1 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    8.4 mi · 9 min

  23. 23

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

    1397 ft · 27 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight left to continue on Madison

    142 m · 9 sec

  25. 25

    Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

    1393 ft · 28 sec · Wall Triana Highway

  26. 26

    Continue on Sullivan Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1393 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  28. 28

    Continue on Church Street

    1544 ft · 42 sec · Church Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Church Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
29 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-65 North
168 mi · 66%
Baskin Street
27.2 mi · 11%
Western Bypass
15 mi · 6%
US 82 West
12.4 mi · 5%
Old Broadway Street
11.9 mi · 5%
I 565 East
9.28 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I-65 North

Merge slight left

168 mi · 03h 04m

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
04h 14m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.1 mi
208.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Union Grove
02h 07m from Clayton
Leave By
8:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Clayton and Rain Showers Likely then Partly Sunny near Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?

Union Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.3 miles from Clayton and 126.8 miles from Madison.

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

The direct path is about 208.8 miles (336.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.1 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 8:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.08 one way or $68.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Clayton and Rain Showers Likely then Partly Sunny near Madison.

Stop Ideas Near Union Grove

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Union Grove, 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 Union Grove.

BUS

Brent, AL

46 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Birmingham

60 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Selma, AL

71 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Marion, AL

71 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Madison. Straight-line distance: 208.84 mi (336.1 km).

Clayton

#1 Clayton

Town in Alabama, United States of America

Population2,829
Coordinates31.8782200, -85.4496600
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.

Population52,654
Coordinates34.6992600, -86.7483300
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: N Midway St (-85.449629, 31.87822)
End: Church Street (-86.748391, 34.699261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 410 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9 gal
34.06 L · about $34.08
Round trip
$68.17
18 gal · 68.12 L
Estimated CO2
80 kg one way
Round trip: 160 kg / 353 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $34.08 $68.17
Mid-grade $4.26 $38.33 $76.66
Premium $4.63 $41.63 $83.25
Diesel $5.42 $48.74 $97.47

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 · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Clayton and Madison. The current time is 12:06:15.

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.