How far is Cottonwood, AL from Madison, AL?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, AL to Madison, AL is about 302 miles (486 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 265.8 miles (427.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 57m 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 04h 58m.
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 Coffee 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 Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Madison.
-
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
8.4 mi · 9 min
-
31
Take the exit slight right toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
1397 ft · 27 sec
-
32
Keep slight left to continue on Madison
142 m · 9 sec
-
33
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
1393 ft · 28 sec · Wall Triana Highway
-
34
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street
-
35
Turn right onto Main Street
1393 ft · 41 sec · Main Street
-
36
Continue on Church Street
1544 ft · 42 sec · Church Street
-
37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Church Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Madison.
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 Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Madison?
The road trip is about 302 miles (486 km) and usually takes 04h 58m 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?
Enterprise is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.6 miles from Cottonwood and 152.4 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 265.8 miles (427.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 7:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.37 one way or $80.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.7 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 Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Enterprise
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 Enterprise.
Selma, AL
Montgomery, AL
Brent, AL
Marion, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Madison. Straight-line distance: 265.75 mi (427.69 km).
#1 Cottonwood
Town in Houston County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 1,247 |
| Coordinates | 31.0487900, -85.3049300 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Madison
The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.
| Population | 52,654 |
| Coordinates | 34.6992600, -86.7483300 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: Church Street (-86.748391, 34.699261)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 486 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $40.37 | $80.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $45.40 | $90.80 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $49.30 | $98.61 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $57.72 | $115.45 |
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.