How far is Chatom, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Chatom, AL to Decatur, AL is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 229.2 miles (368.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 11m 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
285.07 mi
04h 35m
Flight
229.15 mi
368.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chatom.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
229.15 mi
Kilometers
368.78 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
285.07 mi
Kilometers
458.78 km
Drive Time
04h 35m

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 04h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 6:57 AM CDT
Return by in Chatom
Thu, Apr 23, 11:33 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chatom
2026-04-23T02:22
Arrive Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 6:57 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chatom
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
Tuscaloosa
AL

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

From Chatom
140 mi
02h 17m
To Decatur
145.1 mi
02h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Jordan Street

    82.5 mi · 2 hr · Jordan Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right

    2191 ft · 53 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    116.2 mi · 2 hr 5 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight left toward I 65 North: Huntsville

    45 m · 4 sec

  5. 5

    Continue on I 65 North: Huntsville

    1027 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    72.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  7. 7

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

    2021 ft · 51 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  10. 10

    Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1085 ft · 38 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 Chatom and Decatur.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jordan Street
199 mi · 70%
I 65 North
72.3 mi · 25%
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.48 mi · 2%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 1%
67
0.38 mi
Lee Street Northeast
0.21 mi
Longest Stretch

Jordan Street

Merge slight left

116 mi · 02h 05m

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
04h 35m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+55.9 mi
229.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tuscaloosa
02h 17m from Chatom
Leave By
7:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chatom and Sunny near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km) and usually takes 04h 35m 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?

Tuscaloosa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140 miles from Chatom and 145.1 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 229.2 miles (368.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.9 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 7:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.10 one way or $76.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Tuscaloosa

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

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

RAIL

Tuscaloosa

2 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
BUS

Brent, AL

46 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
BUS

Marion, AL

68 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14
RAIL

Birmingham

78 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chatom and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 229.15 mi (368.78 km).

Chatom

#1 Chatom

Town in Alabama, United States of America

Population1,168
Coordinates31.4651700, -88.2544600
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: Jordan Street (-88.254343, 31.465158)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 459 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.06 gal
38.08 L · about $38.10
Round trip
$76.19
20.12 gal · 76.16 L
Estimated CO2
89.4 kg one way
Round trip: 178.8 kg / 394 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $38.10 $76.19
Mid-grade $4.26 $42.85 $85.69
Premium $4.63 $46.53 $93.06
Diesel $5.42 $54.47 $108.95

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Chatom and Decatur. The current time is 02:22:05.

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.