Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
41m
Distance
31.5 mi
51 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Ardmore, AL
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to travel from Decatur to Ardmore, Alabama, you are looking at a quick 31.5-mile journey that typically takes about 41 minutes. This straightforward drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to handle in under an hour. You will primarily navigate via I-65, US Highway 31, and 6th Avenue Northeast. With a minimal fuel budget of around $5, this route is highly cost-effective for commuters or those visiting the region. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast, you can expect a familiar regional atmosphere throughout your time on the road. There is no need for overnight accommodations, giving you total flexibility to complete the trip on your own schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 16.8 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 31 | 7 mi | 8m |
| 6th Avenue Northeast | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| 7th Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Huntsville-Brownsferry Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Huntsville Brownsferry Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Ardmore Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lee Street Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Ardmore, AL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
Continue on US 31
Continue on US 31
Turn right onto AL 304
Continue on AL 304
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto AL 53
Turn left onto AL 53
Turn right onto AL 53
Turn left onto AL 53
At end of road, turn left onto TN 7
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 28.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
At end of road, turn left onto US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto AL 304 / Huntsville-Brownsferry Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward 53: Ardmore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$4.76 one way
$9.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $5.22 | $10.44 |
| premium | $4.56 | $5.65 | $11.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.95 | $13.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.31 | $1.51 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.76 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.41 | $2.02 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Decatur on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 14 at 2:14AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Late night in Ardmore on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 75% of this drive is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-65, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 16.8 miles. The transition from the local lanes of 6th Avenue Northeast onto the interstate creates a distinct shift in pace, moving from urban driving to a faster highway rhythm. Because the route is so concentrated, you won't encounter long, exhausting segments of road. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours, making it a reliable way to get between these two Alabama points.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US Highway 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ferry Street Northeast.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 31.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Ferry Street Northeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (AL 304 / Huntsville-Brownsferry Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
341 ft
Total Descent
37 ft
Highest Point
902 ft
~27 mi in
Elevation Range
341 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Decatur, AL and Ardmore, AL, road signs point toward Athens and 53: Ardmore.
Athens
53: Ardmore
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 41m. Total distance: 31.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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