How far is Bessemer, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Bessemer, AL to Decatur, AL is about 99.2 miles (159.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83.2 miles (133.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 00m 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
99.2 mi
01h 30m
Flight
83.21 mi
133.92 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bessemer.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
83.21 mi
Kilometers
133.92 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.2 mi
Kilometers
159.65 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Tue, May 12, 8:30 PM CDT
Return by in Bessemer
Tue, May 12, 10:01 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bessemer
2026-05-12T19:00
Arrive Decatur
Tue, May 12, 8:30 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bessemer
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
Colony
AL

Town in Cullman County, Alabama, United States

From Bessemer
47.2 mi
00h 45m
To Decatur
52 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bessemer and Decatur.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bessemer and Decatur.

  1. 1

    Start on 3rd Avenue North

    120 m · 23 sec · 3rd Avenue North

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 19th Street North

    1.6 km · 2 min · 19th Street North

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 20 East, I 59 North

    1363 ft · 33 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    12.4 mi · 13 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight left toward I 65 North: Huntsville

    45 m · 4 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on I 65 North: Huntsville

    1027 ft · 25 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight right

    72.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville

    2021 ft · 51 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  11. 11

    Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  13. 13

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bessemer 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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
72.3 mi · 73%
I 20 East
12.6 mi · 13%
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.48 mi · 5%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 3%
19th Street North
0.98 mi · 1%
67
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight right

72.1 mi · 01h 18m

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
01h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16 mi
83.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Colony
00h 45m from Bessemer
Leave By
3:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bessemer and Sunny near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bessemer to Decatur?

The road trip is about 99.2 miles (159.6 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?

Colony is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.2 miles from Bessemer and 52 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 83.2 miles (133.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 3:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.25 one way or $26.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bessemer and Sunny near Decatur.

Stop Ideas Near Colony

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Colony and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 12.2 mi away

marrion city hall

Warrior , AL
e 36756, 123 Marion St, Warrior, AL 35180
Business administration service
Hanceville City Hall
Meeting point 7.8 mi away

Hanceville City Hall

Hanceville , AL
112 Main St SE, Hanceville, AL 35077
Rating 3.7/5 18 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Colony.

RAIL

Birmingham

49 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Anniston

104 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

104 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
BUS

Brent, AL

113 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bessemer and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 83.21 mi (133.92 km).

Bessemer

#1 Bessemer

City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

Population26,043
Coordinates33.4017800, -86.9544400
Altitude155
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: 3rd Avenue North (-86.954272, 33.401684)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 160 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.5 gal
13.25 L · about $13.25
Round trip
$26.51
7 gal · 26.5 L
Estimated CO2
31.1 kg one way
Round trip: 62.2 kg / 137 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $13.25 $26.51
Mid-grade $4.26 $14.91 $29.81
Premium $4.63 $16.19 $32.38
Diesel $5.42 $18.95 $37.91

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Bessemer and Decatur. The current time is 19:00:12.

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.