How far is Gulf Shores, AL from Madison, AL?

The driving distance from Gulf Shores, AL to Madison, AL is about 367.4 miles (591.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 312.7 miles (503.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 37m 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
367.44 mi
05h 48m
Flight
312.65 mi
503.16 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gulf Shores.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
312.65 mi
Kilometers
503.16 km
Flight Time
00h 37m

Driving Distance

Road route
367.44 mi
Kilometers
591.34 km
Drive Time
05h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Fri, May 1, 9:39 AM CDT
Return by in Gulf Shores
Fri, May 1, 3:28 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gulf Shores
2026-05-01T03:50
Arrive Madison
Fri, May 1, 9:39 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:49 AM to 1:49 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
5:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gulf Shores
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
Montgomery
AL

The capital of Alabama.

From Gulf Shores
183.5 mi
02h 54m
To Madison
184 mi
02h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Gulf Shores Weather
AL
Live fallback forecast
75°F
Friday
Using Orange Beach as the closest live forecast in the Baldwin County weather hub.

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph E
Destination
67°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gulf Shores and Madison.

  1. 1

    Start on West Beach Boulevard

    1.1 km · 2 min · West Beach Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Gulf Shores Parkway

    4.4 mi · 8 min · Gulf Shores Parkway

  3. 3

    Continue on State Hwy 59

    1.5 mi · 2 min · State Hwy 59

  4. 4

    Continue on McKenzie Street

    3 mi · 4 min · McKenzie Street

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on South McKenzie Street

    34.3 mi · 50 min · South McKenzie Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Bay Minette Bypass

    5.3 mi · 9 min · Bay Minette Bypass

  7. 7

    Continue on Rabun Road

    4.2 mi · 6 min · Rabun Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight

    1421 ft · 35 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    301.3 mi · 5 hr 27 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 Gulf Shores and Madison.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
19 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rabun Road
306 mi · 83%
South McKenzie Street
34.3 mi · 9%
I 565 East
9.28 mi · 3%
Bay Minette Bypass
5.29 mi · 1%
Gulf Shores Parkway
4.41 mi · 1%
McKenzie Street
2.99 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Rabun Road

Merge slight left

301 mi · 05h 27m

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
05h 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.7 mi
312.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montgomery
02h 54m from Gulf Shores
Leave By
5:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Gulf Shores and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gulf Shores to Madison?

The road trip is about 367.4 miles (591.3 km) and usually takes 05h 48m 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?

Montgomery is a useful midpoint, sitting about 183.5 miles from Gulf Shores and 184 miles from Madison.

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

The direct path is about 312.7 miles (503.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.7 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 5:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.12 one way or $98.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 115.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Gulf Shores and Chance Rain Showers near Madison.

Stop Ideas Near Montgomery

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

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

BUS

Montgomery, AL

5 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
BUS

Selma, AL

68 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Marion, AL

100 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14
BUS

Camden, AL

101 mi away
8 Claiborne Street \r\n8 Claiborne Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gulf Shores and Madison. Straight-line distance: 312.65 mi (503.16 km).

Gulf Shores

#1 Gulf Shores

City in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States

Population13,166
Coordinates30.2460400, -87.7008200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.

Population52,654
Coordinates34.6992600, -86.7483300
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: West Beach Boulevard (-87.700903, 30.246361)
End: Church Street (-86.748391, 34.699261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 591 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)12h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)09h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.97 gal
49.08 L · about $49.12
Round trip
$98.23
25.94 gal · 98.16 L
Estimated CO2
115.3 kg one way
Round trip: 230.5 kg / 508 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $49.12 $98.23
Mid-grade $4.26 $55.24 $110.48
Premium $4.63 $59.99 $119.97
Diesel $5.42 $70.23 $140.47

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Gulf Shores and Madison. The current time is 03:50:33.

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.