How far is Shelby, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Shelby, AL to Decatur, AL is about 129.1 miles (207.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.8 miles (170.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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
129.15 mi
02h 02m
Flight
105.84 mi
170.33 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Shelby.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.84 mi
Kilometers
170.33 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.15 mi
Kilometers
207.84 km
Drive Time
02h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Sat, Nov 7, 1:51 PM CST
Return by in Shelby
Sat, Nov 7, 3:54 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Shelby
2026-11-07T11:48
Arrive Decatur
Sat, Nov 7, 1:51 PM CST
Route Timing
02h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM CST

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

Leave by
2:24 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Shelby
9:30 PM CST
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
Kimberly
AL

Human settlement in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States of America

From Shelby
60.6 mi
01h 01m
To Decatur
68.6 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
61°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Evergreen Road

    52 m · 12 sec · Evergreen Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto County Road 47

    4.1 mi · 7 min · County Road 47

  3. 3

    Continue on Shelby Road

    3257 ft · 2 min · Shelby Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Water Works Street

    127 m · 12 sec · Water Works Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Walton Street

    1567 ft · 43 sec · Walton Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto West College Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West College Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Alabama Highway 70

    1.1 km · 1 min · Alabama Highway 70

  8. 8

    Turn right onto County Road 26

    9.2 mi · 15 min · County Road 26

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 1st Street South

    2 mi · 3 min · 1st Street South

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-65 North: Birmingham

    1628 ft · 40 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    94.2 mi · 1 hr 44 min

  12. 12

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

    2021 ft · 51 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast

  15. 15

    Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

    1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  17. 17

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Shelby 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
18 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-65 North
94.6 mi · 73%
County Road 26
9.15 mi · 7%
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.48 mi · 3%
County Road 47
4.14 mi · 3%
6th Avenue Southeast
2.97 mi · 2%
1st Street South
2 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I-65 North

Merge slight left

94.2 mi · 01h 44m

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 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.3 mi
105.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kimberly
01h 01m from Shelby
Leave By
2:24 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Shelby and Sunny near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 129.1 miles (207.8 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?

Kimberly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.6 miles from Shelby and 68.6 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 105.8 miles (170.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:24 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.73 one way or $33.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Kimberly

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 Kimberly and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 1 mi away

marrion city hall

Warrior , AL
e 36756, 123 Marion St, Warrior, AL 35180
Business administration service
Tarrant City Hall
Meeting point 14.9 mi away

Tarrant City Hall

Birmingham , AL
1133 E Lake Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35217
Rating 1.7/5 11 reviews City government office
Brookside Police Department
Nearby stop 12.3 mi away

Brookside Police Department

Brookside , AL
2711 Municipal Dr, Brookside, AL 35036
Rating 1.3/5 13 reviews Police department

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Birmingham

29 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Anniston

92 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

95 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
BUS

Brent, AL

97 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Shelby and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 105.84 mi (170.33 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Shelby

Shelby is a place in Alabama, United States.

Population0
Coordinates33.1104000, -86.5841500
Altitude151
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: Evergreen Road (-86.58415, 33.110615)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.56 gal
17.25 L · about $16.73
Round trip
$33.45
9.12 gal · 34.5 L
Estimated CO2
40.5 kg one way
Round trip: 81 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.67 $16.73 $33.45
Mid-grade $4.15 $18.94 $37.88
Premium $4.55 $20.77 $41.53
Diesel $5.82 $26.55 $53.10

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 · Nov 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Shelby and Decatur. The current time is 11:48:21.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.