Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Decatur, AL to Citronelle, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 4m
Distance
322.9 mi
520 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 51m
★
6 AM
6h 4m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 13m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 14m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Citronelle, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Trip Overview
Decatur to Citronelle is 322.9 miles and takes about 6h 4m via I-20 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. Given the 6-hour travel time, it's easily a single-day trip, but consider starting early to have plenty of time for any unscheduled stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161.5 miles from Decatur, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 139.4 mi | 2h 30m |
| US 45 | 101.9 mi | 1h 57m |
| I 65 | 70.9 mi | 1h 16m |
| Point Mallard Parkway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | 3 mi | 5m |
| East State Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Lee Street Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 6th Avenue Northeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 139.4 mi, about 2h 30m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,052 veh/hr typical · worst 2,510
Quietest
2 AM
~230 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Citronelle, AL.
1
Start on this road
426 ft
·
36 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
164 ft
·
8 sec
·
Ferry Street Northeast
3
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Lee Street Northeast
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 31
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
6th Avenue Northeast
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on US 31
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
6th Avenue Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto AL 67
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Point Mallard Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I-65 South: Birmingham
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 65
67 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
14
Merge onto I 20; I 59
139 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 45 South: Quitman
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto US 45
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 45
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 45
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 45
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 45
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 45
17 mi
·
20 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45
30 mi
·
33 min
·
US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn left onto East State Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East State Street
30
Arrive at destination
East State Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart from Decatur in the morning to make the most of daylight hours for your 6-hour drive. The route is efficient, so you can afford to be flexible with your timing. With a fuel cost estimated around $47, it's wise to fill up before leaving Decatur or at a major service area along I-65, as the longest stretch without a significant change in major roads is 139.4 miles. Since this is a single-day trip, plan for one main stop for a meal or a stretch break to break up the drive comfortably.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.5 miles from Decatur, AL, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 71 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.5 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Citronelle, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Decatur, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Decatur, AL
This is one driving day of about 322.9 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Decatur, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 139.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161.5 miles from Decatur, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Sumter Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Cullman County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Greene County Rest Area - I 59 Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Greene County Rest Area - I 59 Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Tuscaloosa County Rest Area - I 59 Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Tuscaloosa County Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Lauderdale County Welcome Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
TA Express
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 76.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Ferry Street Northeast
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
At end of road, turn right onto US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
75.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
76.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.86 one way
$87.72 round trip
$3.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $48.94 | $97.89 |
| premium | $4.15 | $52.76 | $105.51 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $47.67 | $95.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.90 | $15.50 |
| Efficient EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.25 | $12.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.2 | 1 | $45.21 | $20.67 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Decatur, AL
Morning in Decatur on Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy
N 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 2:23AM EDT until October 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 12:30AM CDT until October 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Citronelle, AL
Morning in Citronelle on Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
N 20 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 2:23AM EDT until October 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 12:30AM CDT until October 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 77.9
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is almost entirely a highway drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 139.4 miles on I-20 before transitioning to other highways. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate these high-speed roads for the majority of your travel. The final portion of the trip will involve a shift from highway cruising to surface roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 45. 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.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 322.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 75.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
647 ft
143 ft
Total Climb
862 ft
Total Descent
1,124 ft
Highest Point
647 ft
~23.1 mi in
Elevation Range
504 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Decatur, AL and Citronelle, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Fultondale
75.2 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Montgomery
76.2 mi in
|
~1h 27m
About the Cities
Starting in Decatur, AL
Full guide →Founded 1821
Decatur is a city in Alabama. It is called The Ballooning Capital of Alabama.
Top landmarks
- • 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
Arriving in Citronelle, AL
Full guide →Founded 1811
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 322.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Citronelle, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 75.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Citronelle, AL before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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