How far is Decatur, AL from Theodore, AL?

The driving distance from Decatur, AL to Theodore, AL is about 348.2 miles (560.4 km), with a travel time of about 06h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 288.9 miles (464.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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
348.22 mi
06h 28m
Flight
288.85 mi
464.86 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
288.85 mi
Kilometers
464.86 km
Flight Time
00h 34m

Driving Distance

Road route
348.22 mi
Kilometers
560.41 km
Drive Time
06h 28m

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 06h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Theodore
Thu, Apr 23, 8:54 AM CDT
Return by in Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 3:22 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decatur
2026-04-23T02:26
Arrive Theodore
Thu, Apr 23, 8:54 AM CDT
Route Timing
06h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:28 PM to 1:58 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
11:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Decatur
8:00 PM CDT
Overnight-style route

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
Montgomery
AL

The capital of Alabama.

From Decatur
174.3 mi
03h 14m
To Theodore
173.9 mi
03h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    263.9 mi · 4 hr 48 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Mississippi

    1.1 km · 56 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 90: Tillman's Corner

    1723 ft · 37 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Government Boulevard

    51 m · 11 sec · Government Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on Government Boulevard

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Government Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn right

    72 m · 17 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Montgomery
264 mi · 76%
I-65 South
67.5 mi · 19%
I 10 West
4.61 mi · 1%
Point Mallard Parkway
4.21 mi · 1%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 1%
Government Boulevard
2.76 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Montgomery

Merge slight left

264 mi · 04h 48m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
06h 28m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
12h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+59.3 mi
288.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montgomery
03h 14m from Decatur
Leave By
11:04 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Theodore.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 348.2 miles (560.4 km) and usually takes 06h 28m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Montgomery is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.3 miles from Decatur and 173.9 miles from Theodore.

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

The direct path is about 288.9 miles (464.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.54 one way or $93.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Theodore.

Stop Ideas Near Montgomery

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

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

BUS

Montgomery, AL

5 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
BUS

Selma, AL

68 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Marion, AL

100 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14
BUS

Camden, AL

101 mi away
8 Claiborne Street \r\n8 Claiborne Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Theodore. Straight-line distance: 288.85 mi (464.86 km).

Decatur

#1 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Theodore

Place in Alabama, USA

Population6,130
Coordinates30.5476900, -88.1752800
Altitude18
CountryUnited States
Start: Decatur (-86.98334, 34.60593)
End: Theodore (-88.17528, 30.54769)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 560 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.29 gal
46.51 L · about $46.54
Round trip
$93.08
24.58 gal · 93.02 L
Estimated CO2
109.2 kg one way
Round trip: 218.4 kg / 481 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $46.54 $93.08
Mid-grade $4.26 $52.34 $104.69
Premium $4.63 $56.84 $113.68
Diesel $5.42 $66.55 $133.10

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Decatur and Theodore. The current time is 02:26:31.

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.