How far is Decatur, AL from La Fayette, AL?
The driving distance from Decatur, AL to La Fayette, AL is about 192 miles (309 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.8 miles (239.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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.
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 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Community in Shelby County, Alabama, United States
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 La Fayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and La Fayette.
-
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
3.9 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
1037 ft · 25 sec
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14
Merge slight right
1 mi · 2 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
1261 ft · 31 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on US 31 South, US 280 East
2557 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
17.7 mi · 25 min
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19
Take the exit straight
70 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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20
Turn left
18.2 mi · 32 min
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21
Turn left onto LaFayette Street North
1.2 mi · 2 min · LaFayette Street North
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22
Turn right onto Alabama Avenue East
17 m · 2 sec · Alabama Avenue East
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alabama Avenue East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and La Fayette.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 280 East
Take the exit straight
70 mi · 01h 26m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Decatur and Chance Rain Showers near La Fayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to La Fayette?
The road trip is about 192 miles (309 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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?
Meadowbrook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.1 miles from Decatur and 95.9 miles from La Fayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.8 miles (239.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.2 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 8:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.68 one way or $51.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Decatur and Chance Rain Showers near La Fayette.
Stop Ideas Near Meadowbrook
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 Meadowbrook.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and La Fayette. Straight-line distance: 148.85 mi (239.55 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 La Fayette
City in Alabama, United States of America
| Population | 2,870 |
| Coordinates | 32.8998500, -85.4010600 |
| Altitude | 257 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Fayette (-85.40106, 32.89985)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 309 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $25.68 | $51.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $28.88 | $57.75 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $31.36 | $62.72 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $36.71 | $73.43 |
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.