How far is Bear Creek, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Bear Creek, AL to Decatur, AL is about 49.4 miles (79.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.8 miles (68.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
49.42 mi
00h 55m
Flight
42.78 mi
68.85 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bear Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.78 mi
Kilometers
68.85 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.42 mi
Kilometers
79.53 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 00h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Fri, May 1, 5:08 PM CDT
Return by in Bear Creek
Fri, May 1, 6:04 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bear Creek
2026-05-01T16:13
Arrive Decatur
Fri, May 1, 5:08 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bear Creek
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Town Creek
AL

City in Lawrence County, Alabama, United States of America

From Bear Creek
24.7 mi
00h 27m
To Decatur
24.7 mi
00h 27m

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
68°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 Bear Creek and Decatur.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bear Creek and Decatur.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    24 m · 4 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Underwood Mountain Road

    2.7 mi · 7 min · Underwood Mountain Road

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto Frankfort Road

    1.5 mi · 4 min · Frankfort Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    918 ft · 25 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto East Lee Highway

    7.4 mi · 10 min · East Lee Highway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Wheeler Highway

    8.4 mi · 10 min · Wheeler Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Joe Wheeler Highway

    20.2 mi · 25 min · Joe Wheeler Highway

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    8.5 mi · 12 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    92 m · 7 sec

  10. 10

    Turn slight right onto 6th Avenue Northeast

    1602 ft · 40 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Lee Street Northeast

    1040 ft · 32 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  12. 12

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bear Creek and Decatur.

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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Joe Wheeler Highway
28.8 mi · 58%
Wheeler Highway
8.36 mi · 17%
East Lee Highway
7.41 mi · 15%
Underwood Mountain Road
2.7 mi · 5%
Frankfort Road
1.63 mi · 3%
6th Avenue Northeast
0.3 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Joe Wheeler Highway

Continue on Joe Wheeler Highway

20.2 mi · 00h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.6 mi
42.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Town Creek
00h 27m from Bear Creek
Leave By
4:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Bear Creek and Chance Rain Showers near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bear Creek to Decatur?

The road trip is about 49.4 miles (79.5 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Town Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.7 miles from Bear Creek and 24.7 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 42.8 miles (68.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 4:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.59 one way or $13.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Bear Creek and Chance Rain Showers near Decatur.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bear Creek and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 42.78 mi (68.85 km).

Bear Creek

#1 Bear Creek

Town in Marion County, Alabama, USA

Population1,061
Coordinates34.6564800, -87.7333600
Altitude159
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: (-87.733351, 34.656553)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.74 gal
6.6 L · about $6.59
Round trip
$13.18
3.48 gal · 13.2 L
Estimated CO2
15.5 kg one way
Round trip: 30.9 kg / 68 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $6.59 $13.18
Mid-grade $4.26 $7.41 $14.82
Premium $4.63 $8.05 $16.10
Diesel $5.42 $9.42 $18.84

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 Bear Creek and Decatur. The current time is 16:13:28.

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.