How far is Chelsea, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Chelsea, AL to Decatur, AL is about 105.5 miles (169.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 89.8 miles (144.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 30m 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
105.51 mi
01h 45m
Flight
89.77 mi
144.47 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chelsea.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
89.77 mi
Kilometers
144.47 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.51 mi
Kilometers
169.8 km
Drive Time
01h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Tue, Apr 14, 6:49 PM CDT
Return by in Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 8:34 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chelsea
2026-04-14T17:04
Arrive Decatur
Tue, Apr 14, 6:49 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:45 AM to 11:45 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chelsea
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 Chelsea
49.9 mi
00h 52m
To Decatur
55.6 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
87°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Chelsea Road

    52 m · 9 sec · Chelsea Road

  2. 2

    Turn right

    100 m · 25 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Chelsea Road

    1 km · 1 min · Chelsea Road

  4. 4

    Turn left

    14.5 mi · 21 min

  5. 5

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

    1901 ft · 30 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway

  7. 7

    Continue on Carraway Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Finley Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 19th Street North

    15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North

  10. 10

    Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North

    771 ft · 19 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    70.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  12. 12

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

    2021 ft · 51 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  15. 15

    Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  17. 17

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chelsea 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
18 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
70.8 mi · 67%
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.48 mi · 4%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 3%
Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 3%
Carraway Boulevard
1.51 mi · 1%
Chelsea Road
0.67 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight left

70.7 mi · 01h 16m

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 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.7 mi
89.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Colony
00h 52m from Chelsea
Leave By
3:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chelsea and Mostly Sunny near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 105.5 miles (169.8 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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 49.9 miles from Chelsea and 55.6 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 89.8 miles (144.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.09 one way or $28.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chelsea and Mostly 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 9.8 mi away

marrion city hall

Warrior , AL
e 36756, 123 Marion St, Warrior, AL 35180
Business administration service
Hanceville City Hall
Meeting point 10.1 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 Chelsea and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 89.77 mi (144.47 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Chelsea

Chelsea is a place in Alabama, United States.

Population0
Coordinates33.3401100, -86.6302600
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 39 (-86.630173, 33.340099)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 170 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.72 gal
14.09 L · about $14.09
Round trip
$28.18
7.44 gal · 28.18 L
Estimated CO2
33.1 kg one way
Round trip: 66.1 kg / 146 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $14.09 $28.18
Mid-grade $4.26 $15.84 $31.69
Premium $4.63 $17.21 $34.41
Diesel $5.42 $20.14 $40.29

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Chelsea and Decatur. The current time is 17:04:27.

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.