How far is Madison, AL from Cottonwood, AL?
The driving distance from Madison, AL to Cottonwood, AL is about 299.1 miles (481.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 265.8 miles (427.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 59m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Coffee County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Cottonwood.
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1
Start on Church Street
1683 ft · 46 sec · Church Street
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2
Continue straight
678 ft · 19 sec
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3
Continue on Main Street
572 ft · 26 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street
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5
Continue on Wall Triana Highway
138 m · 11 sec · Wall Triana Highway
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward 565: Decatur
2178 ft · 53 sec
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7
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 9 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
864 ft · 16 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Birmingham
1.3 km · 2 min
-
10
Merge slight left
73.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
2715 ft · 38 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
2666 ft · 38 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
1940 ft · 28 sec
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14
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I-85 North: Atlanta
120 m · 10 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Atlanta
1040 ft · 25 sec
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17
Continue straight
2.7 mi · 4 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Ann Street
1275 ft · 35 sec
-
19
Turn right onto Ann Street
133 m · 9 sec · Ann Street
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
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21
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road
-
22
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road
-
23
Continue on Troy Highway
34.7 mi · 41 min · Troy Highway
-
24
Continue straight
7.7 mi · 10 min
-
25
Continue straight
546 ft · 9 sec
-
26
Continue straight
2 mi · 4 min
-
27
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 11 min
-
28
Continue straight
38.4 mi · 47 min
-
29
Continue straight
3.8 mi · 6 min
-
30
Take the exit slight right
78 m · 8 sec
-
31
Merge slight left onto Ross Clark Circle
6.5 mi · 10 min · Ross Clark Circle
-
32
Take the exit right
53 m · 6 sec
-
33
Turn right onto East Cottonwood Road
11.5 mi · 18 min · East Cottonwood Road
-
34
Turn slight right onto Sealy Wells Road
85 m · 8 sec · Sealy Wells Road
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sealy Wells Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Cottonwood.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Montgomery
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 01h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Madison and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 299.1 miles (481.3 km) and usually takes 05h 59m 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?
Enterprise is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.8 miles from Madison and 149.3 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 265.8 miles (427.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 5:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.95 one way or $79.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Madison and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Enterprise
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Enterprise.
Selma, AL
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Brent, AL
Marion, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 265.75 mi (427.69 km).
#1 Madison
The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.
| Population | 52,654 |
| Coordinates | 34.6992600, -86.7483300 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottonwood
Town in Houston County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 1,247 |
| Coordinates | 31.0487900, -85.3049300 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-85.30493, 31.04879)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 481 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $39.95 | $79.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $44.93 | $89.86 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $48.79 | $97.59 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $57.13 | $114.26 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.