Decatur, AL Road Trips
Drivers starting from Decatur, AL have 7 mapped routes to choose from, making it a accessible departure city in the Southeast. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 266 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Decatur, AL head south, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
7
Longest Drive
361.6 mi
Bayou La Batre, AL
Quickest Drive
3h 30m
Blue Ridge, AL
Plan Around Decatur, AL
Continue From Decatur, AL
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Decatur, AL
Decatur, AL to Bayou La Batre, AL
Decatur, AL to Cottonwood, AL
Decatur, AL to Chatom, AL
Decatur, AL to Kinsey, AL
Decatur, AL to Hartford, AL
Decatur, AL to Fort Deposit, AL
Decatur, AL to Blue Ridge, AL
Driving from Decatur, AL
The typical drive from Decatur, AL covers about 266 miles and takes around 5h 15m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 362 miles (6h 47m), while the shortest is just 182 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Decatur, AL most often head toward Bayou La Batre, AL (361.6 mi, 6h 47m), Cottonwood, AL (289 mi, 5h 51m), Chatom, AL (280 mi, 5h 40m), Kinsey, AL (276.6 mi, 5h 32m), and Hartford, AL (272.4 mi, 5h 34m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 266-mile drive from Decatur, AL, expect to burn about 10.5 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 7 mapped routes leaving Decatur, AL and 0 routes heading into Decatur, AL, covering 7 total connections. Distances range from 182 to 362 miles.
The longest mapped route from Decatur, AL covers 362 miles and takes approximately 6h 47m. Shorter options start at just 182 miles.
The average route from Decatur, AL runs about 266 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 15m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Decatur, AL include Bayou La Batre, AL, Cottonwood, AL, Chatom, AL and Kinsey, AL. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Decatur, AL by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
57,760
Median Income
$59,831
Median Home Value
$190,500
Median Age
40.4
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Decatur, AL at a Glance
Founded
1821
Elevation
561 ft
Area
60 mi²
Notable People from Decatur, AL
A sampling of people born in Decatur, AL.
Mae Jemison
1956
American doctor and NASA astronaut
Lucas Black
1982
American actor
Dean Jones
1931–2015
American actor (1931–2015)
Philip Rivers
1981
American football player (born 1981)
Richard Hendrix
1986
American basketball player
Pop Gates
1917–1999
American basketball player (1917–1999)
Richard W. Austin
1857–1919
American politician, attorney and diplomat (1857–1919)
Perrin Buford
1994
American basketball player (born 1994)
Charlie Hodge
1934–2006
American musician
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Decatur, AL.
Princess Theatre
theater in Decatur, Alabama, United States
Cotaco Opera House
theater in Decatur, Alabama
Bank Street–Old Decatur Historic District
historic district in Alabama, United States
New Decatur–Albany Historic District
historic district in Decatur, Alabama
Southern Railway Depot
railway station in Decatur, the United States of America
Dancy-Polk House
historic house in Alabama, United States
West Old Town Historic District
historic district in Decatur, Alabama
City data from Wikidata (Q79750), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Decatur, AL
Decatur is a city in Alabama. It is called The Ballooning Capital of Alabama.
Princess Theatre: Center for the Performing Arts, 112 Second Ave NE, ☏ +1 256-350-1745, [email protected]. This historic building has a storied past including livery stable, silent movie theater, vaudeville playhouse, and movie house. The original structure dates to 1887, and over the decades has seen numerous major renovations. Now owned by the City of Decatur, it now hosts a variety of performances. (updated Sep 2021) Cook Museum of Natural Science, 133 4th Ave NE, ☏ +1 256-351-4505. Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. Opened in 2018, this science museum particularly showcases some interesting flora and fauna exhibits. Old State Bank, 925 Bank St NE, ☏ +1 256-341-4818. M-F 9:30AM-Noon. Built in 1833, it's the oldest bank building in Alabama and one of only four to survive when the Union set fire to the town.
1 Point Mallard Park, 2901 Point Mallard Dr, ☏ +1 256-341-4900. Known primarily for its water park along the Tennessee River, it also features an indoor ice rink, golf course, and camping. Special celebrations occur on Memorial Day and Independence Day. (updated Mar 2015) Some noteworthy festivals: Alabama Jubilee - a hot air balloon festival over Memorial Day weekend. Spirit of America 4th of July festival with its Miss Spirit of America Pageant. Riverfest - music festival last weekend or so of August. Racking Horse World Celebration, held in April in nearby Priceville. 2 Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, 3121 Visitor Center Rd, ☏ +1 256-350-6639, [email protected]. (updated Dec 2021)
Big Bob Gibson's BBQ, 1715 6th Ave SE, ☏ +1 256-350-6969. Daily 9:30AM-8:30PM. A prominent bbq venue, kind of like a Decatur institution, with their own line of sauces.
Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company, 105 1st Ave. M-Th 4-10PM, F 4-11PM, Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-6PM. Brewery, taproom with games, and outdoor beer garden. No kitchen, but you can bring your own food and often have food trucks on site. Kids allowed throughout, and dogs can be in the beer garden. (updated Dec 2021)
Sleep Inn & Suites, 2226 Beltline Rd SW, ☏ +1 256-301-9995. Best Western River City Hotel, 1305 Front Ave SW, ☏ +1 256 301-1388. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Decatur's finest lodging establishment! Over sized rooms, free WIFI, free Hot breakfast! Jacuzzi suites available! $76.99.
Travel tips adapted from Decatur (Alabama) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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