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

The driving distance from Madison, AL to La Fayette, AL is about 182.7 miles (294.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.4 miles (235.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 25m 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
182.77 mi
04h 12m
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 Madison.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.43 mi
Kilometers
235.65 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
182.77 mi
Kilometers
294.14 km
Drive Time
04h 12m

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 04h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Fayette
Fri, May 1, 12:11 PM CDT
Return by in Madison
Fri, May 1, 4:24 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madison
2026-05-01T07:58
Arrive La Fayette
Fri, May 1, 12:11 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 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
8:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madison
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
Glencoe
AL

City in Alabama, USA

From Madison
91.5 mi
02h 06m
To La Fayette
91.3 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
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 Madison and La Fayette.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Church Street

    21 m · 4 sec · Church Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Mill Road

    1847 ft · 48 sec · Mill Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Hughes Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Hughes Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Madison Boulevard

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Madison Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight

    2557 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    5.2 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway

    994 ft · 21 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway

    1224 ft · 26 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Memorial Parkway Southwest

    1892 ft · 32 sec · Memorial Parkway Southwest

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Governors Drive

    1748 ft · 33 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Governors Drive Southwest

    36.3 mi · 46 min · Governors Drive Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on Gunter Avenue

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Gunter Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Florida Short Route

    28.1 mi · 41 min · Florida Short Route

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest

    2497 ft · 54 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northwest

  16. 16

    Continue on West Meighan Boulevard

    9 mi · 15 min · West Meighan Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on Chastain Boulevard East

    18.8 mi · 22 min · Chastain Boulevard East

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    2131 ft · 33 sec

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    2085 ft · 35 sec

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  21. 21

    Continue on Golden Springs Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Golden Springs Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Leon Smith Parkway

    1.3 km · 2 min · Leon Smith Parkway

  23. 23

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

    3.5 mi · 4 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward US 431 South

    1004 ft · 21 sec

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on US 431 South

    26.5 mi · 36 min

  26. 26

    Continue straight

    34.6 mi · 49 min

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Alabama Avenue East

    17 m · 2 sec · Alabama Avenue East

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Alabama Avenue East

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
28 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 431 South
61.3 mi · 34%
Governors Drive Southwest
36.3 mi · 20%
Florida Short Route
28.1 mi · 15%
Chastain Boulevard East
26.9 mi · 15%
West Meighan Boulevard
8.97 mi · 5%
Madison Boulevard
8.28 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Governors Drive Southwest

Turn left onto Governors Drive Southwest

36.3 mi · 00h 46m

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
04h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.3 mi
146.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glencoe
02h 06m from Madison
Leave By
8:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Madison 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 Madison to La Fayette?

The road trip is about 182.7 miles (294.1 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?

Glencoe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.5 miles from Madison and 91.3 miles from La Fayette.

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 36.3 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 8:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.43 one way or $48.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Glencoe

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

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

RAIL

Anniston

35 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Birmingham

95 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

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

Madison

#1 Madison

The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.

Population52,654
Coordinates34.6992600, -86.7483300
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
La Fayette

#2 La Fayette

City in Alabama, United States of America

Population2,870
Coordinates32.8998500, -85.4010600
Altitude257
CountryUnited States
Start: Madison (-86.74833, 34.69926)
End: La Fayette (-85.40106, 32.89985)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 294 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 39m
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
6.45 gal
24.41 L · about $24.43
Round trip
$48.85
12.9 gal · 48.82 L
Estimated CO2
57.3 kg one way
Round trip: 114.6 kg / 253 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $24.43 $48.85
Mid-grade $4.26 $27.47 $54.94
Premium $4.63 $29.83 $59.66
Diesel $5.42 $34.93 $69.85

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 Madison and La Fayette. The current time is 07:58:34.

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.