How far is Cottonwood, AL from Decatur, AL?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, AL to Decatur, AL is about 296.7 miles (477.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 264.4 miles (425.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood and Decatur.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Decatur.
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1
Start on Sealy Wells Road
85 m · 10 sec · Sealy Wells Road
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2
Turn straight onto Cottonwood Road
2064 ft · 1 min · Cottonwood Road
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Cottonwood Road
11.1 mi · 17 min · Cottonwood Road
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4
Turn left onto Ross Clark Circle
6.5 mi · 10 min · Ross Clark Circle
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5
Turn left onto Montgomery Highway
5.2 mi · 8 min · Montgomery Highway
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6
Continue straight
2980 ft · 39 sec
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7
Continue straight
16 mi · 21 min
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8
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 24 min
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9
Continue straight
2262 ft · 35 sec
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10
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 7 min
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11
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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12
Continue straight
2531 ft · 56 sec
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13
Continue straight
2938 ft · 1 min
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14
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
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15
Continue straight
859 ft · 15 sec
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16
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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19
Continue straight
36.1 mi · 43 min
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20
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road
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21
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road
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22
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
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23
Turn right onto Ann Street
911 ft · 27 sec · Ann Street
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24
Turn left onto Ann Street South
1322 ft · 32 sec
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25
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
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26
Keep slight right to continue on I-65 North: Birmingham
1759 ft · 43 sec
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27
Merge slight left
161.4 mi · 2 hr 57 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
2021 ft · 51 sec
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29
Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
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30
Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast
3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast
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31
Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast
580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast
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32
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast
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33
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Decatur.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-65 North
Merge slight left
161 mi · 02h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Decatur?
The road trip is about 296.7 miles (477.5 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
Oak Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.6 miles from Cottonwood and 152.1 miles from Decatur.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 264.4 miles (425.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 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 7:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.65 one way or $79.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cottonwood and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.
Stop Ideas Near Oak Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oak Grove.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 264.37 mi (425.47 km).
#1 Cottonwood
Town in Houston County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 1,247 |
| Coordinates | 31.0487900, -85.3049300 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Decatur
The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.
| Population | 54,381 |
| Coordinates | 34.6059300, -86.9833400 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 478 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $39.65 | $79.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $44.59 | $89.18 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $48.42 | $96.85 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $56.70 | $113.39 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.