How far is Decatur, AL from Roanoke, AL?

The driving distance from Decatur, AL to Roanoke, AL is about 155.3 miles (249.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.5 miles (219.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
155.26 mi
03h 39m
Flight
136.54 mi
219.74 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Decatur.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.54 mi
Kilometers
219.74 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.26 mi
Kilometers
249.87 km
Drive Time
03h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Roanoke
Tue, May 12, 11:39 PM CDT
Return by in Decatur
Wed, May 13, 3:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decatur
2026-05-12T20:00
Arrive Roanoke
Tue, May 12, 11:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Decatur
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Gadsden
AL

City in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.

From Decatur
77.7 mi
01h 49m
To Roanoke
77.6 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph ENE
Destination
76°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Point Mallard Parkway

  7. 7

    Continue on Point Mallard Drive

    34.8 mi · 48 min · Point Mallard Drive

  8. 8

    Turn right

    1.2 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn left

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    19.5 mi · 27 min

  11. 11

    Continue on US 278

    1.6 mi · 2 min · US 278

  12. 12

    Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

    157 m · 8 sec · Thompson Bridge Road

  13. 13

    Continue on US 278

    2.9 mi · 4 min · US 278

  14. 14

    Turn right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Turn slight left onto 4th Street Northwest

    2497 ft · 54 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 5th Avenue Northwest

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northwest

  17. 17

    Continue on West Meighan Boulevard

    9 mi · 15 min · West Meighan Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on Chastain Boulevard East

    18.8 mi · 22 min · Chastain Boulevard East

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    2131 ft · 33 sec

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    2085 ft · 35 sec

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  22. 22

    Continue on Golden Springs Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Golden Springs Road

  23. 23

    Continue on Leon Smith Parkway

    1.3 km · 2 min · Leon Smith Parkway

  24. 24

    Take the exit left toward I 20 East, US 431 South: Atlanta

    3.5 mi · 4 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward US 431 South

    1004 ft · 21 sec

  26. 26

    Keep slight right to continue on US 431 South

    26.5 mi · 36 min

  27. 27

    Continue straight

    11.6 mi · 16 min

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
29 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Point Mallard Drive
54.3 mi · 35%
US 431 South
38.2 mi · 25%
Chastain Boulevard East
26.9 mi · 17%
West Meighan Boulevard
8.97 mi · 6%
US 278
4.53 mi · 3%
Point Mallard Parkway
4.15 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Point Mallard Drive

Continue on Point Mallard Drive

34.8 mi · 00h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.8 mi
136.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gadsden
01h 49m from Decatur
Leave By
9:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Decatur and Sunny near Roanoke.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 155.3 miles (249.9 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?

Gadsden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.7 miles from Decatur and 77.6 miles from Roanoke.

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

The direct path is about 136.5 miles (219.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 9:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.75 one way or $41.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Decatur and Sunny near Roanoke.

Stop Ideas Near Gadsden

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

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

RAIL

Anniston

44 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Birmingham

93 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 136.54 mi (219.74 km).

Decatur

#1 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

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

#2 Roanoke

City in Randolph County, Alabama, United States

Population5,940
Coordinates33.1512300, -85.3721700
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Start: Decatur (-86.98334, 34.60593)
End: Roanoke (-85.37217, 33.15123)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 250 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.48 gal
20.74 L · about $20.75
Round trip
$41.51
10.96 gal · 41.48 L
Estimated CO2
48.7 kg one way
Round trip: 97.4 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $20.75 $41.51
Mid-grade $4.26 $23.34 $46.68
Premium $4.63 $25.35 $50.69
Diesel $5.42 $29.67 $59.35

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Decatur and Roanoke. The current time is 20:00:07.

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.