How far is Marion, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Marion, AL to Decatur, AL is about 160.1 miles (257.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.7 miles (221.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m 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
160.04 mi
02h 34m
Flight
137.72 mi
221.64 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Marion.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.72 mi
Kilometers
221.64 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
160.04 mi
Kilometers
257.56 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 12:40 AM CDT
Return by in Marion
Thu, Apr 23, 3:15 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marion
2026-04-22T22:06
Arrive Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 12:40 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Marion
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
Birmingham
AL

The most populous city in Alabama.

From Marion
77.5 mi
01h 17m
To Decatur
82.5 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S
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 Marion and Decatur.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Jefferson Street

    730 ft · 31 sec · Jefferson Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Martin Luther King Parkway

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King Parkway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto State Route 5

    23.4 mi · 32 min · State Route 5

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Route 5

    35 m · 4 sec · State Route 5

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto State Route 5

    18.8 mi · 26 min · State Route 5

  6. 6

    Turn slight right

    3 mi · 5 min

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right

    27.5 mi · 30 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 65 North: Huntsville

    45 m · 4 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on I 65 North: Huntsville

    1027 ft · 25 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight right

    72.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  11. 11

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

    2021 ft · 51 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  14. 14

    Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  16. 16

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Marion 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
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
72.3 mi · 45%
State Route 5
69.8 mi · 44%
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.48 mi · 3%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 2%
Martin Luther King Parkway
1.46 mi · 1%
67
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight right

72.1 mi · 01h 18m

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 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.4 mi
137.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Birmingham
01h 17m from Marion
Leave By
1:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Marion and Sunny near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 160.1 miles (257.6 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?

Birmingham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.5 miles from Marion and 82.5 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 137.7 miles (221.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 1:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.40 one way or $42.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Birmingham

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

1 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

71 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

79 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 Marion and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 137.72 mi (221.64 km).

Marion

#1 Marion

County seat of Perry County, Alabama

Population3,049
Coordinates32.6323500, -87.3191700
Altitude114
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: Green Street (-87.319182, 32.63243)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 258 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.65 gal
21.38 L · about $21.40
Round trip
$42.79
11.3 gal · 42.76 L
Estimated CO2
50.2 kg one way
Round trip: 100.4 kg / 221 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $21.40 $42.79
Mid-grade $4.26 $24.06 $48.13
Premium $4.63 $26.13 $52.26
Diesel $5.42 $30.59 $61.19

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 Marion and Decatur. The current time is 22:06:00.

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.