How far is Smiths Station, AL from Decatur, AL?
The driving distance from Smiths Station, AL to Decatur, AL is about 219.5 miles (353.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.3 miles (288.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Smiths Station and Decatur.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smiths Station and Decatur.
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1
Start on County Road 243
32 m · 5 sec · County Road 243
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2
Continue on County Road 298
1687 ft · 46 sec · County Road 298
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3
Turn left
17.1 mi · 20 min
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4
Take the exit left toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
3.1 mi · 3 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
1852 ft · 45 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
87 m · 7 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Gateway Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Gateway Drive
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8
Continue on Birmingham Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Birmingham Highway
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9
Continue straight
103.8 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
1901 ft · 30 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway
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12
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto 19th Street North
15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North
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15
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
771 ft · 19 sec
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16
Merge slight left
70.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
2021 ft · 51 sec
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18
Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.5 mi · 7 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
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19
Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast
3 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue Southeast
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20
Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast
580 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast
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21
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
1085 ft · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast
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22
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Smiths Station and Decatur.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Birmingham Highway
Continue straight
104 mi · 02h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Smiths Station and Sunny near Decatur.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Smiths Station to Decatur?
The road trip is about 219.5 miles (353.3 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Westover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.8 miles from Smiths Station and 112.7 miles from Decatur.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.3 miles (288.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.35 one way or $58.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Smiths Station and Sunny near Decatur.
Stop Ideas Near Westover
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Westover.
Birmingham
Anniston
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Smiths Station and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 179.28 mi (288.53 km).
#1 Smiths Station
Town in Lee County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 5,804 |
| Coordinates | 32.5401400, -85.0985500 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Decatur
The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.
| Population | 54,381 |
| Coordinates | 34.6059300, -86.9833400 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 353 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.35 | $58.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $33.01 | $66.01 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $35.84 | $71.69 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $41.97 | $83.93 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.