How far is Goodwater, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Goodwater, AL to Decatur, AL is about 149.6 miles (240.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.1 miles (191.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 06m 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
149.61 mi
02h 33m
Flight
119.05 mi
191.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Goodwater.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
119.05 mi
Kilometers
191.6 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
149.61 mi
Kilometers
240.77 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Sat, Apr 18, 8:10 AM CDT
Return by in Goodwater
Sat, Apr 18, 10:44 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Goodwater
2026-04-18T05:37
Arrive Decatur
Sat, Apr 18, 8:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:33 AM to 12:33 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Goodwater
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
Gardendale
AL

City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

From Goodwater
71.3 mi
01h 16m
To Decatur
78.3 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW
Destination
86°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Railroad Place

    40 m · 8 sec · Railroad Place

  2. 2

    Continue on Sylacauga Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Sylacauga Street

  3. 3

    Continue on County Road 511

    2.8 mi · 5 min · County Road 511

  4. 4

    Continue on Goodwater Highway

    8.9 mi · 16 min · Goodwater Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on South Broadway Avenue

    1.1 km · 55 sec · South Broadway Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto West Fort Williams Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · West Fort Williams Street

  7. 7

    Turn right

    42.1 mi · 56 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham

    1901 ft · 30 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Carraway Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Finley Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 19th Street North

    15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North

  13. 13

    Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North

    771 ft · 19 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    70.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  15. 15

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

    2021 ft · 51 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  18. 18

    Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  20. 20

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
70.8 mi · 47%
Goodwater Highway
8.88 mi · 6%
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.48 mi · 3%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 2%
Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 2%
County Road 511
2.81 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight left

70.7 mi · 01h 16m

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
02h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.5 mi
119.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gardendale
01h 16m from Goodwater
Leave By
1:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Goodwater and Partly 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 Goodwater to Decatur?

The road trip is about 149.6 miles (240.8 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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 71.3 miles from Goodwater and 78.3 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 119.1 miles (191.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.00 one way or $39.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Goodwater and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.

Stop Ideas Near Gardendale

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Gardendale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7.8 mi away

City of Adamsville City Hall

Adamsville , AL
4828 Main St, Adamsville, AL 35005
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews City government office,City clerk's office,City courthouse,City Hall,Tourist information center
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13 mi away

Trussville City Hall

Trussville , AL
131 Main St, Trussville, AL 35173
Rating 3.0/5 31 reviews City Hall
Mountain Brook Municipal Court
Nearby stop 10.6 mi away

Mountain Brook Municipal Court

Mountain Brook , AL
56 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
Rating 3.0/5 4 reviews City courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gardendale.

RAIL

Birmingham

16 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

85 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

87 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

91 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Goodwater and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 119.05 mi (191.6 km).

Goodwater

#1 Goodwater

City in Alabama, USA

Population1,288
Coordinates33.0656700, -86.0533000
Altitude256
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: Railroad Place (-86.053297, 33.065543)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 241 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.28 gal
19.98 L · about $20.00
Round trip
$39.99
10.56 gal · 39.96 L
Estimated CO2
46.9 kg one way
Round trip: 93.8 kg / 207 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $20.00 $39.99
Mid-grade $4.26 $22.49 $44.98
Premium $4.63 $24.42 $48.84
Diesel $5.42 $28.59 $57.18

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Goodwater and Decatur. The current time is 05:37:58.

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.