Can't get in to Cordoba....
 

Are there any interesting towns between Madrid and Granada, on a bus line for an overnight stop between Madrid and Granada? This might be a chance to stay over at a non-touristy town. I see some on the map....Bailen, Jaen, Valdepenas. Any suggestions?

I'm not sure about the bus routes, but if you can make it over to Baeza or Ubeda then one of those is definitely worth a stop. Jaen is somewhat industrial looking but has an impressive cathedral and the Parador, just outside of town, is a great place to spend a night.

Thank you, Nelson. I will see if getting to either Baeza or Ubeda is doable.

Antequera?

I'd heard Antequera was lovely but it's not on that route. I wish there was a site where I could see the actual bus or train routes on a map. So I'd see where I could stop for the night then be able to continue on to Granada. The ALSA site and others just allow you to name a starting and ending point.

Antequera is very interesting and not that off the route. Madrid-Antequera is 2h 17 mins with the high speed AVE train (+ a short bus ride into town), and the direct ALSA bus from Antequera to Granada takes 1h 25 mins.

Some info about Antequera: http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/home.htm
"5 reasons to visit enchanting Antequera": http://wild-about-travel.com/2011/07...ing-antequera/

I only recommended Antequera because kimhe recommended it to me..........can't take credit for it! ;)

Omigosh this seems like a wonderful suggestion. The fact that the high-speed train goes to Antequera makes it doable. I checked the websites and now am sorry it will just be an overnight!
Right now the raileurope site is down so I'll have to wait to see the ticket situation. But you've given me the solution to a problem and I am really grateful to you both.