How far is Decatur, AL from Montgomery, AL?

The driving distance from Decatur, AL to Montgomery, AL is about 176.2 miles (283.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m 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
176.15 mi
02h 35m
Flight
159.64 mi
256.92 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Decatur.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.64 mi
Kilometers
256.92 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
176.15 mi
Kilometers
283.48 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Montgomery
Wed, May 6, 9:28 PM CDT
Return by in Decatur
Thu, May 7, 12:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decatur
2026-05-06T18:53
Arrive Montgomery
Wed, May 6, 9:28 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Decatur
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
Homewood
AL

City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

From Decatur
85.8 mi
01h 17m
To Montgomery
90.3 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 6 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
87°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 6 1:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    130 m · 37 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast

    50 m · 9 sec · Ferry Street Northeast

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1583 ft · 53 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  5. 5

    Continue on 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway

    4.2 mi · 6 min · Point Mallard Parkway

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-65 South: Birmingham

    1944 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    67.1 mi · 1 hr 12 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale

    2715 ft · 38 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis

    2666 ft · 38 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery

    1940 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    93.2 mi · 1 hr 44 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I-85 North: Atlanta

    120 m · 10 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Atlanta

    1040 ft · 25 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    3059 ft · 52 sec

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Court Street, Union Street

    909 ft · 24 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on Arba Street

    2067 ft · 1 min · Arba Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto South Decatur Street

    141 m · 12 sec · South Decatur Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Winnie Street

    134 m · 25 sec · Winnie Street

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Union Street

    57 m · 4 sec · South Union Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Union Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Montgomery.

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
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 22 West
94.6 mi · 54%
I-65 South
67.5 mi · 38%
Point Mallard Parkway
4.21 mi · 2%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 2%
I 85 North
0.78 mi
Arba Street
0.39 mi
Longest Stretch

I 22 West

Merge slight left

93.2 mi · 01h 44m

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
02h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.6 mi
159.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Homewood
01h 17m from Decatur
Leave By
1:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Decatur and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Montgomery.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 176.2 miles (283.5 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Homewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.8 miles from Decatur and 90.3 miles from Montgomery.

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

The direct path is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.56 one way or $47.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Decatur and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Montgomery.

Stop Ideas Near Homewood

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

5 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

67 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

77 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

92 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Montgomery. Straight-line distance: 159.64 mi (256.92 km).

Decatur

#1 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Montgomery

#2 Montgomery

The capital of Alabama.

Population196,268
Coordinates32.3668100, -86.2999700
Altitude73
CountryUnited States
Start: (-86.983514, 34.605804)
End: South Union Street (-86.300031, 32.366809)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 283 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.22 gal
23.53 L · about $23.56
Round trip
$47.11
12.44 gal · 47.06 L
Estimated CO2
55.3 kg one way
Round trip: 110.6 kg / 244 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $23.56 $47.11
Mid-grade $4.26 $26.49 $52.98
Premium $4.63 $28.77 $57.54
Diesel $5.42 $33.68 $67.36

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 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Decatur and Montgomery. The current time is 18:53:01.

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.