How far is Decatur, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance from Decatur, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 141.2 miles (227.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.2 miles (164.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 06m.
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.
City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Tuscaloosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Tuscaloosa.
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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
3.7 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
2224 ft · 54 sec
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14
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 57 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
2219 ft · 42 sec
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16
Merge slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue straight
2011 ft · 33 sec
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18
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
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19
Turn right onto University Boulevard
87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard
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20
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Tuscaloosa.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Decatur and Showers And Thunderstorms near Tuscaloosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Tuscaloosa?
The road trip is about 141.2 miles (227.3 km) and usually takes 02h 06m 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?
Gardendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.4 miles from Decatur and 72.8 miles from Tuscaloosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.2 miles (164.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 39 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 2:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.86 one way or $37.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Decatur and Showers And Thunderstorms near Tuscaloosa.
Stop Ideas Near Gardendale
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 Gardendale.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 102.14 mi (164.38 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 Tuscaloosa
The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
| Population | 102,819 |
| Coordinates | 33.2098400, -87.5691700 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 227 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $18.86 | $37.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $21.21 | $42.42 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $23.03 | $46.07 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $26.97 | $53.93 |
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.