Chilton County Rest Area (Southbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Decatur, AL to Hartford, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
272.4 mi
438 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 22m
★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 2m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 42m
3 PM
5h 46m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Hartford, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Decatur to Hartford is 272 miles and takes about 5 hours 34 minutes via I 65 and AL 167, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting the Southeast region from north to south. Expect a straightforward drive with a significant portion on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. Given the relatively short duration, you'll have plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling overly rushed.
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
136.2 miles from Decatur, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 160.3 mi | 2h 55m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| AL 167 | 32.7 mi | 48m |
| Plaza Drive | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| US 231 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Elba Highway | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Point Mallard Parkway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | 3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 160.3 mi, about 2h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Hartford, 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
93 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
393 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 171
Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
15
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft
·
8 sec
·
Ann Street
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Zelda Road
19
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Carter Hill Road
20
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
McGehee Road
21
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
24
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
25
Take the exit
349 ft
·
10 sec
26
Turn slight right onto AL 87; AL 167
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Elba Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 167
25 mi
·
36 min
·
AL 167
28
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Boll Weevil Circle
29
Turn left onto AL 88
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
30
Continue on AL 27; AL 88; AL 134
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Main Street
31
Continue on AL 88; AL 134
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Park Avenue
32
Turn slight right onto AL 88
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Plaza Drive
33
Continue on AL 167
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
AL 167
34
Turn left onto AL 52
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
35
Turn left onto AL 123
62 ft
·
1 sec
·
North 3rd Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
AL 123
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 34-minute drive, aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 160 miles on I 65, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 65 to Troy Highway and AL 167, as this marks the shift to more local roads.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 136.2 miles from Decatur, AL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.3 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 34m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hartford, 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 272.4 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 65 for about 160.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.2 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 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 160.3 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Chilton County Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Cullman County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA Express
1.4 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 172.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
172.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward Ann Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.14 one way
$82.28 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $45.16 | $90.32 |
| premium | $4.56 | $48.89 | $97.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.14 | $120.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.60 | $13.08 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.83 | $10.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109 | 1 | $38.14 | $17.43 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Late night in Decatur on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hartford, AL
Late night in Hartford on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 84.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 77% of the 272 miles on major roads like I 65. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 160.3 miles on I 65 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, with exits becoming less frequent as you move south on Troy Highway and AL 167.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160.3 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Troy Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 272.4 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 0.4 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; at 75.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Hartford, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Fultondale
75.2 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Montgomery
76.2 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 272.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 160.3 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Hartford, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 75.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hartford, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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