How far is Decatur, AL from Opelika, AL?
The driving distance from Decatur, AL to Opelika, AL is about 198.9 miles (320.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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 03h 19m.
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.
Community in Shelby County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Opelika.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Opelika.
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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
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
89.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min
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20
Turn left onto Pepperell Parkway
1.5 km · 2 min · Pepperell Parkway
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21
Continue on 2nd Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue
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22
Turn right onto North 10th Street
1793 ft · 50 sec · North 10th Street
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23
Turn left onto Avenue B
142 m · 23 sec · Avenue B
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24
Turn right onto South 9th Street
25 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Opelika.
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
89.5 mi · 01h 49m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Decatur and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Opelika.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Opelika?
The road trip is about 198.9 miles (320.1 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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 97.2 miles from Decatur and 101.7 miles from Opelika.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.58 one way or $53.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Decatur and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Opelika.
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
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Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Opelika. Straight-line distance: 163.94 mi (263.83 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 Opelika
City in Alabama
| Population | 31,135 |
| Coordinates | 32.6454100, -85.3782800 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 9th Street (-85.378252, 32.645431)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 320 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $26.58 | $53.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $29.90 | $59.80 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $32.47 | $64.94 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $38.01 | $76.03 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.