How far is Gadsden, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Gadsden, AL to Decatur, AL is about 90.4 miles (145.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 69.2 miles (111.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
90.38 mi
01h 45m
Flight
69.13 mi
111.26 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gadsden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
69.13 mi
Kilometers
111.26 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
90.38 mi
Kilometers
145.46 km
Drive Time
01h 45m

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 01h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Wed, Apr 22, 11:45 PM CDT
Return by in Gadsden
Thu, Apr 23, 1:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gadsden
2026-04-22T22:00
Arrive Decatur
Wed, Apr 22, 11:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:45 AM to 11:45 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gadsden
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Baileyton
AL

Town in Covington County, Alabama, USA

From Gadsden
38.5 mi
00h 52m
To Decatur
51.9 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 6th Street

    1039 ft · 33 sec · South 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Meighan Boulevard

    3.7 mi · 7 min · West Meighan Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 5th Avenue Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest

    2438 ft · 51 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  5. 5

    Turn slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto US 278

    2.9 mi · 4 min · US 278

  7. 7

    Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

    157 m · 8 sec · Thompson Bridge Road

  8. 8

    Continue on US 278

    1.6 mi · 2 min · US 278

  9. 9

    Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

    21.8 mi · 31 min · Thompson Bridge Road

  10. 10

    Turn right

    1.2 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight left

    43 m · 8 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    20.5 mi · 28 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    6.9 mi · 9 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    11.7 mi · 17 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  16. 16

    Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  18. 18

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gadsden 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
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Thompson Bridge Road
40.5 mi · 45%
US 278
4.54 mi · 5%
West Meighan Boulevard
3.72 mi · 4%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 3%
5th Avenue Northeast
1.4 mi · 2%
4th Street Northwest
0.46 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Thompson Bridge Road

Continue on Thompson Bridge Road

21.8 mi · 00h 31m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.2 mi
69.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Baileyton
00h 52m from Gadsden
Leave By
3:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gadsden and Sunny near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 90.4 miles (145.5 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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?

Baileyton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.5 miles from Gadsden and 51.9 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 69.2 miles (111.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 3:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.08 one way or $24.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Baileyton

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

85 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Anniston

99 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gadsden and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 69.13 mi (111.26 km).

Gadsden

#1 Gadsden

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

Population34,816
Coordinates34.0143400, -86.0063900
Altitude167
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: North 6th Street (-86.006372, 34.014381)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 145 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.19 gal
12.07 L · about $12.08
Round trip
$24.16
6.38 gal · 24.14 L
Estimated CO2
28.3 kg one way
Round trip: 56.7 kg / 125 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $12.08 $24.16
Mid-grade $4.26 $13.59 $27.17
Premium $4.63 $14.75 $29.51
Diesel $5.42 $17.27 $34.55

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 Gadsden and Decatur. The current time is 22:00:52.

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.