This 98.7-mile journey from Decatur, AL to Ragland, AL takes approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that’s easily manageable as a day trip, so no overnight stays are necessary. You'll be covering about 61% of the route on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $15 for this trip. Both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, so you'll be staying within familiar territory for this relatively short excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.3 miles from Decatur, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Point Mallard Drive
34.8 mi
48m
US 278
25.8 mi
36m
AL 77
21.4 mi
33m
AL 144
7.9 mi
11m
Point Mallard Parkway
4.1 mi
6m
6th Avenue Southeast
3 mi
5m
US 231
0.8 mi
1m
Lee Street Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Point Mallard Drive
— 34.8 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Ragland, 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
4.1 mi·6 min·Point Mallard Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on AL 67
35 mi·48 min·Point Mallard Drive
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto US 231
0.8 mi·1 min·US 231
9
Turn left onto US 278
2.3 mi·3 min·US 278
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 278
19 mi·27 min·US 278
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 278
1.6 mi·2 min·US 278
12
Continue on US 278
516 ft·8 sec·Thompson Bridge Road
13
Continue on US 278
2.4 mi·3 min·US 278
14
Take the exit
225 ft·7 sec
15
Turn straight onto AL 77
21 mi·33 min·AL 77
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto AL 144
7.9 mi·11 min·AL 144
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·7th Street
18
Arrive at destination
1st Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 25-minute duration for this 98.7-mile trip, starting in the morning allows for a full day at your destination or a relaxed return. With no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. The estimated fuel cost is $15, so keep your tank at a comfortable level. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the transition from Point Mallard Drive onto US 278 and then AL 77, as these changes in road designation are key points in your navigation.
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 49.3 miles from Decatur, AL, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.8 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 22 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 1h 11m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ragland, 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 98.7 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Decatur, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Point Mallard Drive for about 34.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 90.6 — 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
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Lee Street Northeast
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
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.
5
43.2 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|US 278
Turn left onto US 278
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
90.6 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|AL 144
Turn right onto AL 144
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.91 one way
$29.81 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$16.36
$32.73
premium
$4.56
$17.72
$35.43
diesel
$5.61
$21.79
$43.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.6
0
$10.36
$4.74
Efficient EV
24.7
0
$8.64
$3.95
EV Truck/SUV
39.5
0
$13.82
$6.32
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Decatur, AL
Night
in Decatur on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ragland, AL
Night
in Ragland on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
2h 25m 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.
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 91.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 61% of your travel time spent on faster roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 34.8 miles on Point Mallard Drive, which might offer a different pace than the subsequent highway segments. The main roads guiding you are Point Mallard Drive, US 278, and AL 77, suggesting a mix of more local access roads and established US highways. The overall character is geared towards efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.8 mi on Point Mallard Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Point Mallard Drive and US 278. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ferry Street Northeast.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (Ferry Street Northeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (Lee Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
987 ft512 ft
Total Climb
843 ft
Total Descent
855 ft
Highest Point
987 ft
~35.2 mi in
Elevation Range
476 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 98.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.8 miles on Point Mallard Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 (Lee Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Freedom Riders 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 Ragland, AL before heading back.
