How far is Fairfield, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Fairfield, AL to Decatur, AL is about 267.1 miles (429.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 232.6 miles (374.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m 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
267.11 mi
04h 01m
Flight
232.57 mi
374.29 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
232.57 mi
Kilometers
374.29 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
267.11 mi
Kilometers
429.87 km
Drive Time
04h 01m

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 04h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Thu, Apr 16, 6:16 AM CDT
Return by in Fairfield
Thu, Apr 16, 10:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairfield
2026-04-16T02:14
Arrive Decatur
Thu, Apr 16, 6:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairfield
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
Clanton
AL

City in Chilton County, Alabama, United States

From Fairfield
131 mi
02h 00m
To Decatur
136.1 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Judge Smith Road

    1.9 mi · 5 min · Judge Smith Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Loango Road

    8.5 mi · 20 min · Loango Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Ealum Mill Road

    2.3 mi · 6 min · Ealum Mill Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 107

    62 m · 11 sec · County Road 107

  5. 5

    Turn right onto County Road 82

    1705 ft · 54 sec · County Road 82

  6. 6

    Turn sharp left

    12.3 mi · 14 min

  7. 7

    Continue on Mobile Road

    9.3 mi · 11 min · Mobile Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right

    1486 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    218.5 mi · 3 hr 59 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville

    2021 ft · 51 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  13. 13

    Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  15. 15

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Mobile Road
228 mi · 85%
Loango Road
8.46 mi · 3%
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.48 mi · 2%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 1%
Ealum Mill Road
2.32 mi · 1%
Judge Smith Road
1.95 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Mobile Road

Merge slight left

218 mi · 03h 59m

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
04h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.5 mi
232.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clanton
02h 00m from Fairfield
Leave By
8:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Fairfield and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 267.1 miles (429.9 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?

Clanton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131 miles from Fairfield and 136.1 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 232.6 miles (374.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 8:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.71 one way or $71.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny around Fairfield and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.

Stop Ideas Near Clanton

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

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

BUS

Brent, AL

52 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
BUS

Selma, AL

60 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Montgomery, AL

64 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
BUS

Marion, AL

68 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairfield and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 232.57 mi (374.29 km).

Fairfield

#1 Fairfield

City in Alabama, United States

Population10,457
Coordinates31.2518400, -86.6455200
Altitude58
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 7 (-86.645595, 31.2518)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 430 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.43 gal
35.68 L · about $35.71
Round trip
$71.42
18.86 gal · 71.36 L
Estimated CO2
83.8 kg one way
Round trip: 167.6 kg / 369 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $35.71 $71.42
Mid-grade $4.26 $40.16 $80.32
Premium $4.63 $43.61 $87.23
Diesel $5.42 $51.06 $102.13

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairfield and Decatur. The current time is 02:14:17.

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.