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

The driving distance from La Fayette, AL to Madison, AL is about 182.4 miles (293.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.4 miles (235.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m 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
182.43 mi
03h 25m
Flight
146.43 mi
235.65 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
146.43 mi
Kilometers
235.65 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
182.43 mi
Kilometers
293.59 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 Madison
Fri, May 1, 9:58 AM CDT
Return by in La Fayette
Fri, May 1, 1:23 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Fayette
2026-05-01T06:33
Arrive Madison
Fri, May 1, 9:58 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
9:25 AM to 11:25 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
10:10 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
Lake Purdy
AL

City in Shelby County, Alabama, United States of America

From La Fayette
100.5 mi
01h 42m
To Madison
81.9 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
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 La Fayette and Madison.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Alabama Avenue East

    17 m · 9 sec · Alabama Avenue East

  2. 2

    Turn left onto LaFayette Street South

    1.2 mi · 2 min · LaFayette Street South

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right

    93 m · 9 sec

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto Veterans Memorial Parkway

    12.6 mi · 22 min · Veterans Memorial Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on Senator Claude Pepper Drive

    3.9 mi · 7 min · Senator Claude Pepper Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on Pittman Avenue

    1951 ft · 39 sec · Pittman Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Senator Claude Pepper Drive

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Senator Claude Pepper Drive

  8. 8

    Turn right

    87.3 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham

    1901 ft · 30 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Carraway Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Finley Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 19th Street North

    15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North

  14. 14

    Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North

    771 ft · 19 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    77.2 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  16. 16

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

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  17. 17

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

    2761 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    8.4 mi · 9 min

  19. 19

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

    1397 ft · 27 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Madison

    142 m · 9 sec

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

    1393 ft · 28 sec · Wall Triana Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Sullivan Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1393 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  24. 24

    Continue on Church Street

    1544 ft · 42 sec · Church Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Church Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
77.3 mi · 42%
Veterans Memorial Parkway
12.6 mi · 7%
I 565 East
9.28 mi · 5%
Senator Claude Pepper Drive
5.09 mi · 3%
Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 2%
Carraway Boulevard
1.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

87.3 mi · 01h 50m

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 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36 mi
146.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Purdy
01h 42m from La Fayette
Leave By
10:10 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving La Fayette 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 La Fayette to Madison?

The road trip is about 182.4 miles (293.6 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?

Lake Purdy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.5 miles from La Fayette and 81.9 miles from Madison.

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

The direct path is about 146.4 miles (235.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 36 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 10:10 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.39 one way or $48.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lake Purdy

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

15 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

70 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Anniston

82 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

86 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Fayette and Madison. Straight-line distance: 146.43 mi (235.65 km).

La Fayette

#1 La Fayette

City in Alabama, United States of America

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

#2 Madison

The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.

Population52,654
Coordinates34.6992600, -86.7483300
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: Alabama Avenue East (-85.401061, 32.899808)
End: Church Street (-86.748391, 34.699261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 294 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.44 gal
24.37 L · about $24.39
Round trip
$48.78
12.88 gal · 48.74 L
Estimated CO2
57.2 kg one way
Round trip: 114.5 kg / 252 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $24.39 $48.78
Mid-grade $4.26 $27.43 $54.86
Premium $4.63 $29.79 $59.57
Diesel $5.42 $34.87 $69.75

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 Madison. The current time is 06:33:04.

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.