How far is Madison, AL from Rainbow City, AL?
The driving distance from Madison, AL to Rainbow City, AL is about 84.8 miles (136.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.4 miles (105.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Marshall County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Rainbow City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Rainbow City.
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1
Start on Church Street
21 m · 4 sec · Church Street
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2
Turn right onto Mill Road
1847 ft · 48 sec · Mill Road
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3
Turn right onto Hughes Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Hughes Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Madison Boulevard
2.6 mi · 4 min · Madison Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp straight
2557 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
5.2 mi · 6 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
994 ft · 21 sec
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8
Continue on US 231 South, US 431 South: Memorial Parkway
1224 ft · 26 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Memorial Parkway Southwest
1892 ft · 32 sec · Memorial Parkway Southwest
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Governors Drive
1748 ft · 33 sec
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11
Turn left onto Governors Drive Southwest
36.3 mi · 46 min · Governors Drive Southwest
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12
Continue on Gunter Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gunter Avenue
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13
Continue on Florida Short Route
25.9 mi · 38 min · Florida Short Route
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14
Turn right
9.1 mi · 15 min
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15
Turn slight right
33 m · 4 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Rainbow City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Madison and Sunny near Rainbow City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Rainbow City?
The road trip is about 84.8 miles (136.5 km) and usually takes 01h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Guntersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.4 miles from Madison and 42.4 miles from Rainbow City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.4 miles (105.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.32 one way or $22.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Madison and Sunny near Rainbow City.
Stop Ideas Near Guntersville
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 Guntersville.
Anniston
Birmingham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Rainbow City. Straight-line distance: 65.35 mi (105.17 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 Rainbow City
City in Alabama, United States
| Population | 9,611 |
| Coordinates | 33.9548200, -86.0419200 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rainbow City (-86.04192, 33.95482)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 137 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $11.32 | $22.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $12.73 | $25.47 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $13.83 | $27.66 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $16.19 | $32.38 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.