How far is Cottonwood, AL from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, AL to Huntsville, AL is about 313.8 miles (505 km), with a travel time of about 05h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 265 miles (426.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 05h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Chilton County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood and Huntsville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Huntsville.
-
1
Start on Sealy Wells Road
85 m · 10 sec · Sealy Wells Road
-
2
Turn straight onto Cottonwood Road
2064 ft · 1 min · Cottonwood Road
-
3
Keep slight left to continue on Cottonwood Road
11.1 mi · 17 min · Cottonwood Road
-
4
Turn left onto Ross Clark Circle
6.5 mi · 10 min · Ross Clark Circle
-
5
Turn left onto Montgomery Highway
5.2 mi · 8 min · Montgomery Highway
-
6
Continue straight
2980 ft · 39 sec
-
7
Continue straight
16 mi · 21 min
-
8
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 24 min
-
9
Continue straight
2262 ft · 35 sec
-
10
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 7 min
-
11
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
-
12
Continue straight
2531 ft · 56 sec
-
13
Continue straight
2938 ft · 1 min
-
14
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
-
15
Continue straight
859 ft · 15 sec
-
16
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
17
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
18
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
19
Continue straight
36.1 mi · 43 min
-
20
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road
-
21
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road
-
22
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
-
23
Turn right onto Ann Street
911 ft · 27 sec · Ann Street
-
24
Turn left onto Ann Street South
1322 ft · 32 sec
-
25
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
-
26
Keep slight right to continue on I-65 North: Birmingham
1759 ft · 43 sec
-
27
Merge slight left
167.9 mi · 3 hr 4 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
1665 ft · 41 sec
-
29
Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
2761 ft · 1 min
-
30
Merge slight left
18.9 mi · 20 min
-
31
Take the exit slight right toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
985 ft · 24 sec
-
32
Continue on Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown
120 m · 10 sec
-
33
Keep slight right to continue on Jefferson Street, Downtown
104 m · 8 sec
-
34
Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North
2688 ft · 1 min · Jefferson Street North
-
35
Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest
1 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest
-
36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Huntsville.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cottonwood and Rain Showers Likely near Huntsville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Huntsville?
The road trip is about 313.8 miles (505 km) and usually takes 05h 08m 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?
Clanton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154 miles from Cottonwood and 159.8 miles from Huntsville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 265 miles (426.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.8 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 6:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.92 one way or $83.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cottonwood and Rain Showers Likely near Huntsville.
Stop Ideas Near Clanton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clanton.
Brent, AL
Selma, AL
Montgomery, AL
Marion, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Huntsville. Straight-line distance: 265 mi (426.48 km).
#1 Cottonwood
Town in Houston County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 1,247 |
| Coordinates | 31.0487900, -85.3049300 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Huntsville
The second most populous city in Alabama.
| Population | 202,964 |
| Coordinates | 34.7304000, -86.5859400 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jefferson Street South (-86.585936, 34.730413)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 505 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $41.92 | $83.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $47.15 | $94.29 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $51.20 | $102.40 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $59.94 | $119.89 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.