How far is Fairfield, AL from Madison, AL?

The driving distance from Fairfield, AL to Madison, AL is about 272.3 miles (438.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 238.3 miles (383.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m 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
272.37 mi
04h 07m
Flight
238.27 mi
383.46 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
238.27 mi
Kilometers
383.46 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
272.37 mi
Kilometers
438.34 km
Drive Time
04h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Thu, Apr 16, 8:01 AM CDT
Return by in Fairfield
Thu, Apr 16, 12:08 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairfield
2026-04-16T03:53
Arrive Madison
Thu, Apr 16, 8:01 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 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
8:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairfield
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
Thorsby
AL

Town in Alabama, USA

From Fairfield
136 mi
02h 03m
To Madison
136.4 mi
02h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Judge Smith Road

    1.9 mi · 5 min · Judge Smith Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Loango Road

    8.5 mi · 20 min · Loango Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Ealum Mill Road

    2.3 mi · 6 min · Ealum Mill Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 107

    62 m · 11 sec · County Road 107

  5. 5

    Turn right onto County Road 82

    1705 ft · 54 sec · County Road 82

  6. 6

    Turn sharp left

    12.3 mi · 14 min

  7. 7

    Continue on Mobile Road

    9.3 mi · 11 min · Mobile Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right

    1486 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    225 mi · 4 hr 5 min

  10. 10

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

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  11. 11

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

    2761 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    8.4 mi · 9 min

  13. 13

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

    1397 ft · 27 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Madison

    142 m · 9 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

    1393 ft · 28 sec · Wall Triana Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Sullivan Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1393 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Church Street

    1544 ft · 42 sec · Church Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Church Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairfield 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
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Mobile Road
235 mi · 86%
I 565 East
9.28 mi · 3%
Loango Road
8.46 mi · 3%
Ealum Mill Road
2.32 mi · 1%
Judge Smith Road
1.95 mi · 1%
Sullivan Street
1.12 mi
Longest Stretch

Mobile Road

Merge slight left

225 mi · 04h 05m

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 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34 mi
238.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thorsby
02h 03m from Fairfield
Leave By
8:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Fairfield and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 272.3 miles (438.3 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?

Thorsby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136 miles from Fairfield and 136.4 miles from Madison.

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

The direct path is about 238.3 miles (383.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 8:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.39 one way or $72.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny around Fairfield and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Madison.

Stop Ideas Near Thorsby

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

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

BUS

Brent, AL

43 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
BUS

Selma, AL

63 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Marion, AL

64 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14
RAIL

Birmingham

67 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairfield and Madison. Straight-line distance: 238.27 mi (383.46 km).

Fairfield

#1 Fairfield

City in Alabama, United States

Population10,457
Coordinates31.2518400, -86.6455200
Altitude58
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.

Population52,654
Coordinates34.6992600, -86.7483300
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 7 (-86.645595, 31.2518)
End: Church Street (-86.748391, 34.699261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 438 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.61 gal
36.38 L · about $36.39
Round trip
$72.79
19.22 gal · 72.76 L
Estimated CO2
85.4 kg one way
Round trip: 170.8 kg / 377 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $36.39 $72.79
Mid-grade $4.26 $40.93 $81.86
Premium $4.63 $44.45 $88.89
Diesel $5.42 $52.04 $104.08

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairfield and Madison. The current time is 03:53:44.

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.