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

The driving distance from La Fayette, AL to Huntsville, AL is about 172.2 miles (277.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m 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
172.22 mi
03h 25m
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 La Fayette.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
172.22 mi
Kilometers
277.16 km
Drive Time
03h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Huntsville
Fri, May 1, 10:00 AM CDT
Return by in La Fayette
Fri, May 1, 1:26 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Fayette
2026-05-01T06:34
Arrive Huntsville
Fri, May 1, 10:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 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
10:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Fayette
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 La Fayette
86.1 mi
01h 42m
To Huntsville
86.1 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
68°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between La Fayette and Huntsville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Alabama Avenue East

    17 m · 6 sec · Alabama Avenue East

  2. 2

    Turn right onto LaFayette Street North

    61.2 mi · 1 hr 25 min · LaFayette Street North

  3. 3

    Take the exit left toward I 20 West, US 431 North: Birmingham

    3.5 mi · 4 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston

    1299 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston

    2.2 mi · 4 min

  6. 6

    Continue on Henry Road

    2366 ft · 37 sec · Henry Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Veterans Memorial Parkway

    26.4 mi · 33 min · Veterans Memorial Parkway

  8. 8

    Continue on East Meighan Boulevard

    9 mi · 15 min · East Meighan Boulevard

  9. 9

    Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northeast

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest

    2438 ft · 51 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  11. 11

    Turn slight right

    28.1 mi · 41 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Gunter Avenue

    2733 ft · 58 sec · Gunter Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto May Street

    97 m · 6 sec · May Street

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto Blount Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Blount Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Paddle Wheel Drive

    788 ft · 15 sec · Paddle Wheel Drive

  16. 16

    Continue on Florida Short Route

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Florida Short Route

  17. 17

    Continue on Florida Short Route

    17.7 mi · 21 min · Florida Short Route

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    13.2 mi · 18 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Madison Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South Side Square

    113 m · 16 sec · South Side Square

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East Side Square

    113 m · 16 sec · East Side Square

  22. 22

    Continue on North Side Square

    112 m · 18 sec · North Side Square

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
LaFayette Street North
61.2 mi · 36%
Florida Short Route
35.5 mi · 21%
Veterans Memorial Parkway
26.4 mi · 15%
East Meighan Boulevard
8.95 mi · 5%
I 20 West
3.47 mi · 2%
US 431 North
2.44 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

LaFayette Street North

Turn right onto LaFayette Street North

61.2 mi · 01h 25m

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 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.6 mi
143.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Union
01h 42m from La Fayette
Leave By
10:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 172.2 miles (277.2 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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 86.1 miles from La Fayette and 86.1 miles from Huntsville.

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 28.6 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 10:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.02 one way or $46.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 La Fayette and Huntsville. Straight-line distance: 143.61 mi (231.11 km).

La Fayette

#1 La Fayette

City in Alabama, United States of America

Population2,870
Coordinates32.8998500, -85.4010600
Altitude257
CountryUnited States
Huntsville

#2 Huntsville

The second most populous city in Alabama.

Population202,964
Coordinates34.7304000, -86.5859400
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Alabama Avenue East (-85.401061, 32.899808)
End: North Side Square (-86.585936, 34.730413)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 277 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
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
6.08 gal
23 L · about $23.02
Round trip
$46.05
12.16 gal · 46 L
Estimated CO2
54 kg one way
Round trip: 108.1 kg / 238 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $23.02 $46.05
Mid-grade $4.26 $25.89 $51.79
Premium $4.63 $28.12 $56.24
Diesel $5.42 $32.92 $65.85

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 La Fayette and Huntsville. The current time is 06:34:37.

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.