How far is Decatur, AL from Gulf Shores, AL?
The driving distance from Decatur, AL to Gulf Shores, AL is about 356.7 miles (574 km), with a travel time of about 06h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 304.1 miles (489.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 56m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The capital of Alabama.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Gulf Shores.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Gulf Shores.
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1
Start on the route
130 m · 37 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
50 m · 9 sec · Ferry Street Northeast
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3
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
1583 ft · 53 sec · Lee Street Northeast
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto 6th Avenue Northeast
580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast
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5
Continue on 6th Avenue Southeast
3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast
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6
Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Point Mallard Parkway
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I-65 South: Birmingham
1944 ft · 47 sec
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8
Merge slight left
67.1 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
2715 ft · 38 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
2666 ft · 38 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
1940 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left
226.4 mi · 4 hr 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward SR 287: Gulf Shores, Parkway, Bay Minette, Rabun
1397 ft · 39 sec
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14
Turn left onto Rabun Road
4.3 mi · 7 min · Rabun Road
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15
Continue on Bay Minette Bypass
5.5 mi · 9 min · Bay Minette Bypass
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16
Continue on Gulf Shores Parkway
17.4 mi · 22 min · Gulf Shores Parkway
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17
Continue straight
16.5 mi · 27 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on South McKenzie Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · South McKenzie Street
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19
Continue on State Hwy 59
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Hwy 59
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20
Continue on Gulf Shores Parkway
4.4 mi · 8 min · Gulf Shores Parkway
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21
Turn right onto West Beach Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · West Beach Boulevard
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Beach Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Gulf Shores.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Montgomery
Merge slight left
226 mi · 04h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Decatur and Chance Rain Showers near Gulf Shores.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Gulf Shores?
The road trip is about 356.7 miles (574 km) and usually takes 06h 56m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Montgomery is a useful midpoint, sitting about 178.6 miles from Decatur and 178.1 miles from Gulf Shores.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 304.1 miles (489.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.6 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.68 one way or $95.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Decatur and Chance Rain Showers near Gulf Shores.
Stop Ideas Near Montgomery
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 Montgomery.
Montgomery, AL
Selma, AL
Marion, AL
Camden, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Gulf Shores. Straight-line distance: 304.13 mi (489.45 km).
#1 Decatur
The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.
| Population | 54,381 |
| Coordinates | 34.6059300, -86.9833400 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gulf Shores
City in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 13,166 |
| Coordinates | 30.2460400, -87.7008200 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gulf Shores (-87.70082, 30.24604)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 574 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $47.68 | $95.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $53.62 | $107.24 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $58.23 | $116.46 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $68.17 | $136.35 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.