How far is Rainbow City, AL from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance from Rainbow City, AL to Huntsville, AL is about 77.2 miles (124.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62 miles (99.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m 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 36m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rainbow City and Huntsville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rainbow City and Huntsville.
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1
Start on the route
17 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn sharp left onto Rainbow Drive
38 m · 8 sec · Rainbow Drive
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3
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
3.9 mi · 7 min · West Grand Avenue
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4
Continue on Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
5.2 mi · 9 min · Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
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5
At the end of the road, turn left
25.9 mi · 38 min
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6
Continue on Gunter Avenue
2733 ft · 58 sec · Gunter Avenue
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7
Turn right onto May Street
97 m · 6 sec · May Street
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8
Turn slight left onto Blount Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · Blount Avenue
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9
Continue on Paddle Wheel Drive
788 ft · 15 sec · Paddle Wheel Drive
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10
Continue on Florida Short Route
4.7 mi · 6 min · Florida Short Route
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11
Continue on Florida Short Route
17.7 mi · 21 min · Florida Short Route
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12
Continue straight
13.2 mi · 18 min
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13
Turn right onto Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street
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14
Turn right onto South Side Square
113 m · 16 sec · South Side Square
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15
Turn left onto East Side Square
113 m · 16 sec · East Side Square
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16
Continue on North Side Square
112 m · 18 sec · North Side Square
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rainbow City and Huntsville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
At the end of the road, turn left
25.9 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Sunny leaving Rainbow City and Mostly Sunny near Huntsville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rainbow City to Huntsville?
The road trip is about 77.2 miles (124.3 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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 37.1 miles from Rainbow City and 40.1 miles from Huntsville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62 miles (99.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.2 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 3:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.34 one way or $20.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rainbow City and Mostly Sunny near Huntsville.
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 Rainbow City and Huntsville. Straight-line distance: 61.93 mi (99.66 km).
#1 Rainbow City
City in Alabama, United States
| Population | 9,611 |
| Coordinates | 33.9548200, -86.0419200 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Huntsville
The second most populous city in Alabama.
| Population | 202,964 |
| Coordinates | 34.7304000, -86.5859400 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jefferson Street South (-86.585936, 34.730413)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 124 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $10.34 | $20.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $11.63 | $23.25 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $12.63 | $25.25 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $14.78 | $29.57 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.