How far is Sylvania, AL from Decatur, AL?

The driving distance from Sylvania, AL to Decatur, AL is about 82.2 miles (132.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 66.7 miles (107.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 51m 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
82.21 mi
01h 25m
Flight
66.67 mi
107.3 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sylvania.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
66.67 mi
Kilometers
107.3 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
82.21 mi
Kilometers
132.3 km
Drive Time
01h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Mon, May 18, 7:51 PM CDT
Return by in Sylvania
Mon, May 18, 9:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sylvania
2026-05-18T18:26
Arrive Decatur
Mon, May 18, 7:51 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sylvania
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
Paint Rock
AL

Town

From Sylvania
41.1 mi
00h 42m
To Decatur
41.1 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
90°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 27

    2.9 mi · 7 min · County Road 27

  2. 2

    Continue on County Road 59

    3.8 mi · 9 min · County Road 59

  3. 3

    Turn right

    1347 ft · 29 sec

  4. 4

    Turn left onto County Road 383

    2479 ft · 2 min · County Road 383

  5. 5

    Turn left

    5.9 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Turn slight right

    63 m · 7 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto Veterans Drive

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Veterans Drive

  8. 8

    Turn left onto US 72, AL 279

    1145 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto John T Reid Parkway

    59.3 mi · 1 hr 8 min · John T Reid Parkway

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    624 ft · 9 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on Huntsville-Decatur Highway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Bee Line Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Bee Line Highway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on 6th Avenue Northeast

    1980 ft · 50 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Lee Street Northeast

    1040 ft · 32 sec · Lee Street Northeast

  15. 15

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sylvania 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
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
1 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John T Reid Parkway
59.5 mi · 72%
County Road 59
3.84 mi · 5%
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3.52 mi · 4%
Veterans Drive
3.34 mi · 4%
County Road 27
2.88 mi · 4%
Bee Line Highway
1.62 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

John T Reid Parkway

Merge slight left onto John T Reid Parkway

59.3 mi · 01h 08m

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 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.5 mi
66.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paint Rock
00h 42m from Sylvania
Leave By
3:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sylvania and Sunny near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 82.2 miles (132.3 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?

Paint Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.1 miles from Sylvania and 41.1 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 66.7 miles (107.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 3:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.98 one way or $21.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sylvania and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 66.67 mi (107.3 km).

Sylvania

#1 Sylvania

City in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States of America

Population1,860
Coordinates34.5623100, -85.8124700
Altitude423
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Morgan County, Alabama.

Population54,381
Coordinates34.6059300, -86.9833400
Altitude171
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 27 (-85.81248, 34.56236)
End: (-86.983514, 34.605804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 132 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.9 gal
10.98 L · about $10.98
Round trip
$21.96
5.8 gal · 21.96 L
Estimated CO2
25.8 kg one way
Round trip: 51.5 kg / 114 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $10.98 $21.96
Mid-grade $4.26 $12.35 $24.70
Premium $4.63 $13.41 $26.83
Diesel $5.42 $15.70 $31.41

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Sylvania and Decatur. The current time is 18:26:07.

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.