Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
62.4 mi
100 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
7 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Bear Creek, AL
patrice schoefolt
Decatur, AL to Bear Creek, AL is 62.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 19 minutes via AL 24 and Andrew Jackson Highway, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Alabama, making it a straightforward and convenient journey. Its relatively short distance and focused highway profile mean you can expect a predictable travel experience. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 24 | 35.4 mi | 42m |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 17.1 mi | 22m |
| Gordon Terry Parkway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| Moulton Street East | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| 2nd Avenue Northeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ferry Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Grover Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Bear Creek, AL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
Continue on 2nd Avenue Northeast
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
Continue on Gordon Terry Parkway
Continue on AL 24
Continue on AL 24
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 43; AL 13; AL 17
Turn right onto Grover Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 31.2 miles from Decatur, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 62.4 — 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
Continue onto 2nd Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 43: Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Hamilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto Grover Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$9.42 one way
$18.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $10.35 | $20.69 |
| premium | $4.56 | $11.20 | $22.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.78 | $27.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
| Efficient EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25 | 0 | $8.74 | $3.99 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Morning in Decatur on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 19 at 2:02AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Morning in Bear Creek on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°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.
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 69% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 35.4 miles on AL 24, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. The route utilizes AL 24, Andrew Jackson Highway, and Gordon Terry Parkway, suggesting a mix of state highways and potentially some local road familiarity as you approach your destination. Expect a driving experience that emphasizes efficiency over winding country lanes.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 24 and Andrew Jackson Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ferry Street Northeast.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Decatur, AL to Bear Creek, AL is easy. At 1h 19m with 69% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 0.1 miles (2nd Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Moulton Street East): Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Decatur, AL and Bear Creek, AL, road signs point toward Muscle Shoals and Hamilton.
Muscle Shoals
Hamilton
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 62.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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