How far is Smiths Station, AL from Huntsville, AL?

The driving distance from Smiths Station, AL to Huntsville, AL is about 233.6 miles (376 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173.9 miles (279.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 37m 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
233.64 mi
03h 48m
Flight
173.84 mi
279.77 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Smiths Station.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
173.84 mi
Kilometers
279.77 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
233.64 mi
Kilometers
376.01 km
Drive Time
03h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Huntsville
Tue, May 12, 9:32 PM CDT
Return by in Smiths Station
Wed, May 13, 1:21 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Smiths Station
2026-05-12T17:44
Arrive Huntsville
Tue, May 12, 9:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 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
9:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Smiths Station
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Meadowbrook
AL

Community in Shelby County, Alabama, United States

From Smiths Station
116.2 mi
01h 54m
To Huntsville
117.4 mi
01h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Smiths Station and Huntsville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Smiths Station and Huntsville.

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 243

    32 m · 5 sec · County Road 243

  2. 2

    Continue on County Road 298

    1687 ft · 46 sec · County Road 298

  3. 3

    Turn left

    17.1 mi · 20 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit left toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery

    3.1 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

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

    1852 ft · 45 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham

    87 m · 7 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Gateway Drive

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Gateway Drive

  8. 8

    Continue on Birmingham Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · Birmingham Highway

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    103.8 mi · 2 hr 10 min

  10. 10

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

    1901 ft · 30 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue on Carraway Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Finley Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 19th Street North

    15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North

  15. 15

    Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North

    771 ft · 19 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    77.2 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  17. 17

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

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  18. 18

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

    2761 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    18.9 mi · 20 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown

    985 ft · 24 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown

    120 m · 10 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on Jefferson Street, Downtown

    104 m · 8 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North

    2688 ft · 1 min · Jefferson Street North

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest

    1 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Smiths Station and Huntsville.

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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Birmingham Highway
107 mi · 46%
I 65 North
77.3 mi · 33%
I 565 East
19.7 mi · 8%
I-85 South
3.05 mi · 1%
Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 1%
Carraway Boulevard
1.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Birmingham Highway

Continue straight

104 mi · 02h 10m

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 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+59.7 mi
173.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Meadowbrook
01h 54m from Smiths Station
Leave By
9:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Smiths Station and Sunny near Huntsville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Smiths Station to Huntsville?

The road trip is about 233.6 miles (376 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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?

Meadowbrook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.2 miles from Smiths Station and 117.4 miles from Huntsville.

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

The direct path is about 173.9 miles (279.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.7 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 9:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.20 one way or $62.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Smiths Station and Sunny near Huntsville.

Stop Ideas Near Meadowbrook

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

16 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

66 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

84 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

85 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Smiths Station and Huntsville. Straight-line distance: 173.84 mi (279.77 km).

Smiths Station

#1 Smiths Station

Town in Lee County, Alabama, United States

Population5,804
Coordinates32.5401400, -85.0985500
Altitude162
CountryUnited States
Huntsville

#2 Huntsville

The second most populous city in Alabama.

Population202,964
Coordinates34.7304000, -86.5859400
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 243 (-85.0984, 32.540282)
End: Jefferson Street South (-86.585936, 34.730413)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 376 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.24 gal
31.21 L · about $31.20
Round trip
$62.41
16.48 gal · 62.42 L
Estimated CO2
73.2 kg one way
Round trip: 146.5 kg / 323 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $31.20 $62.41
Mid-grade $4.26 $35.09 $70.19
Premium $4.63 $38.11 $76.22
Diesel $5.42 $44.62 $89.24

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Smiths Station and Huntsville. The current time is 17:44:18.

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.