Origin
Decatur, AL
Evening in Decatur on Friday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Decatur, AL to Lake Purdy, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
94.5 mi
152 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Purdy, AL
Damir K .
Trip Overview
Decatur to Lake Purdy is 94.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 57 minutes via I-65 and US 280, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. With 93% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for exploration at your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.2 miles from Decatur, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 71 mi | 1h 16m |
| US 280 | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| Point Mallard Parkway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | 3 mi | 5m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Brook Highland Parkway | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| I 20 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Lee Street Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 71 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Lake Purdy, 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
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 261B
Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
14
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20; I 59
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
18
Take the exit onto US 280
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Brook Highland Parkway
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Brook Highland Parkway
20
Turn left onto Brook Highland Drive
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Brook Highland Drive
21
Turn left onto Hampton Place
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Hampton Place
22
Turn left onto Somerset Lane
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Somerset Lane
23
Turn left onto Ashford Lane
214 ft
·
9 sec
·
Ashford Lane
24
Arrive at destination
Ashford Lane
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour 57 minute duration, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows you to maximize your time at Lake Purdy. You won't need to break this 94.5-mile drive into multiple days. With a fuel cost estimate of $13, you can easily budget for this trip. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-65 to US 280, as this is a key point where the road type changes.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.2 miles from Decatur, AL, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.2 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Purdy, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Decatur, AL
This is one driving day of about 94.5 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Decatur, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 71 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.2 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 71 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 81.9 — 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
8
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downt...
8
81.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.84 one way
$27.69 round trip
$3.72/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $15.37 | $30.74 |
| premium | $4.49 | $16.69 | $33.38 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $20.83 | $41.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| Efficient EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Lake Purdy, AL
Evening in Lake Purdy on Friday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 57m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 81.4
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?
You'll spend almost all your time on highways, with 93% of the 94.5 miles on high-speed roads like I-65 and US 280. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 71 miles on I-65. Expect the transition from highway cruising to surface streets as you approach Lake Purdy. The route features a high concentration of exits and merges typical of major highway travel.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 280. 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
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.5 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
902 ft
414 ft
Total Climb
877 ft
Total Descent
789 ft
Highest Point
902 ft
~27 mi in
Elevation Range
488 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 Lake Purdy, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale, Montgomery, Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
Fultondale
75.2 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Montgomery
76.2 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Gadsden
80.5 mi in
|
~1h 33m
Downtown
81.7 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Zoo Gardens
84.9 mi in
|
~1h 40m
|
via US 280
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 Lake Purdy, AL
Full guide →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 1h 57m. Total distance: 94.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Lake Purdy, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Purdy, AL before heading back.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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