How far is Huntsville, AL from La Fayette, AL?

The driving distance from Huntsville, AL to La Fayette, AL is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 55m 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
171.77 mi
03h 57m
Flight
143.61 mi
231.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Huntsville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
143.61 mi
Kilometers
231.11 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.77 mi
Kilometers
276.43 km
Drive Time
03h 57m

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 03h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Fayette
Fri, May 1, 11:51 AM CDT
Return by in Huntsville
Fri, May 1, 3:48 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Huntsville
2026-05-01T07:53
Arrive La Fayette
Fri, May 1, 11:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:04 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Huntsville
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Union
AL

Town in Alabama, USA

From Huntsville
85.9 mi
01h 58m
To La Fayette
85.8 mi
01h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
66°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 Huntsville and La Fayette.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville and La Fayette.

  1. 1

    Start on Spring Street Southwest

    1 m · 4 sec · Spring Street Southwest

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Side Square

    115 m · 10 sec · West Side Square

  3. 3

    Continue on Madison Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Governors Drive Southeast

    35.5 mi · 44 min · Governors Drive Southeast

  5. 5

    Continue on Gunter Avenue

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Gunter Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Florida Short Route

    28.1 mi · 41 min · Florida Short Route

  7. 7

    Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest

    2497 ft · 54 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northwest

  9. 9

    Continue on West Meighan Boulevard

    9 mi · 15 min · West Meighan Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue on Chastain Boulevard East

    18.8 mi · 22 min · Chastain Boulevard East

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2131 ft · 33 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    2085 ft · 35 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Golden Springs Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Golden Springs Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Leon Smith Parkway

    1.3 km · 2 min · Leon Smith Parkway

  16. 16

    Take the exit left toward I 20 East, US 431 South: Atlanta

    3.5 mi · 4 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 431 South

    1004 ft · 21 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on US 431 South

    26.5 mi · 36 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    34.6 mi · 49 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Alabama Avenue East

    17 m · 2 sec · Alabama Avenue East

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Alabama Avenue East

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Huntsville and La Fayette.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
21 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 431 South
61.3 mi · 36%
Governors Drive Southeast
35.5 mi · 21%
Florida Short Route
28.1 mi · 16%
Chastain Boulevard East
26.9 mi · 16%
West Meighan Boulevard
8.97 mi · 5%
I 20 East
3.5 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Governors Drive Southeast

Turn left onto Governors Drive Southeast

35.5 mi · 00h 44m

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
03h 57m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.1 mi
143.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Union
01h 58m from Huntsville
Leave By
9:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Huntsville and Chance Rain Showers near La Fayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Huntsville to La Fayette?

The road trip is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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 is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Huntsville and 85.8 miles from La Fayette.

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

The direct path is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 9:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.95 one way or $45.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Huntsville and Chance Rain Showers near La Fayette.

Stop Ideas Near Union

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

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

RAIL

Anniston

19 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Birmingham

91 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Huntsville and La Fayette. Straight-line distance: 143.61 mi (231.11 km).

Huntsville

#1 Huntsville

The second most populous city in Alabama.

Population202,964
Coordinates34.7304000, -86.5859400
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
La Fayette

#2 La Fayette

City in Alabama, United States of America

Population2,870
Coordinates32.8998500, -85.4010600
Altitude257
CountryUnited States
Start: Huntsville (-86.58594, 34.7304)
End: La Fayette (-85.40106, 32.89985)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 276 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.06 gal
22.94 L · about $22.95
Round trip
$45.90
12.12 gal · 45.88 L
Estimated CO2
53.9 kg one way
Round trip: 107.7 kg / 237 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $22.95 $45.90
Mid-grade $4.26 $25.81 $51.62
Premium $4.63 $28.03 $56.06
Diesel $5.42 $32.81 $65.63

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 Huntsville and La Fayette. The current time is 07:53:55.

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.