How far is Decatur, AL from Shelby, AL?
The driving distance from Decatur, AL to Shelby, AL is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.8 miles (170.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 30m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Shelby.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Shelby.
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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
25.9 mi · 30 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 31, AL 3: Alabaster, Saginaw
1623 ft · 42 sec
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14
Turn straight onto 1st Street South
2.1 mi · 3 min · 1st Street South
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15
Turn left onto County Road 26
9.2 mi · 15 min · County Road 26
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16
Turn left onto Alabama Highway 70
1.1 km · 60 sec · Alabama Highway 70
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17
Continue on West College Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West College Street
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18
Turn right onto Walton Street
1567 ft · 45 sec · Walton Street
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19
Continue on Water Works Street
107 m · 10 sec · Water Works Street
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20
Turn slight right
33 m · 5 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Shelby Road
3179 ft · 2 min · Shelby Road
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22
Continue on County Road 47
4.1 mi · 7 min · County Road 47
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23
Turn right onto Evergreen Road
52 m · 8 sec · Evergreen Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Evergreen Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Shelby.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-65 South
Merge slight left
67.1 mi · 01h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Shelby.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Shelby?
The road trip is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?
Kimberly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.7 miles from Decatur and 60.5 miles from Shelby.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.8 miles (170.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:28 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.70 one way or $31.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Shelby.
Stop Ideas Near Kimberly
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
marrion city hall
Clay City Hall
Brookside Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kimberly.
Birmingham
Anniston
Tuscaloosa
Brent, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Shelby. Straight-line distance: 105.84 mi (170.33 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 Shelby
Shelby is a place in Alabama, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.1104000, -86.5841500 |
| Altitude | 151 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shelby (-86.58415, 33.1104)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 195 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.67 | $15.70 | $31.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $17.78 | $35.56 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $19.49 | $38.98 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $24.92 | $49.84 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026