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Trip from Hamilton, AL to Decatur, AL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

75.9 mi

122 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hamilton, AL, AL

Hamilton, AL

muaz semih güven

Downtown Decatur, AL, AL

Decatur, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Hamilton to Decatur, Alabama, expect a straightforward journey covering approximately 75.9 miles. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via AL 24, Military Street North, and the Andrew Jackson Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $12, this route is an affordable way to transition across the Southeast region. Because of the manageable distance, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics or mid-trip hotel stays. It is a practical, efficient path that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complications.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

37.9 miles from Hamilton, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
AL 24 43.2 mi 51m
Military Street North 14.2 mi 16m
Andrew Jackson Highway 13.2 mi 15m
U.S. Highway 43 2.8 mi 3m
Moulton Street West 2 mi 4m
4th Avenue Northeast 0.1 mi <1m
Lee Street Northeast <0.1 mi <1m
Bexar Avenue West <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: AL 24 — 43.2 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton, AL and Decatur, AL.

1

Start on AL 74

21 ft · 7 sec · Bexar Avenue West
2

Turn left onto US 43; AL 17

14 mi · 16 min · Military Street North
Use the straight / left lanes.
3

Continue on US 43; AL 17

2.8 mi · 3 min · U.S. Highway 43
4

Continue on US 43; AL 17

6.6 mi · 7 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
5

At end of road, turn left onto US 43; AL 13; AL 17

6.6 mi · 7 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
6

Turn left

0.2 mi · 30 sec
7

Merge onto AL 24

36 mi · 42 min · AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Continue on AL 24

7.5 mi · 9 min · AL 24
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Continue on Moulton Street West

2.0 mi · 4 min · Moulton Street West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10

Turn left onto 4th Avenue Northeast

0.1 mi · 17 sec · 4th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

320 ft · 15 sec · Lee Street Northeast
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
12

Turn right

82 ft · 6 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively quick 75.9-mile journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the drive in under two hours, so feel free to leave whenever it best suits your schedule without needing to stress over a rigid itinerary. Because there are no scheduled stops required for this 1 hour and 32-minute trip, try to fill up your tank before you leave Hamilton to keep your $12 fuel budget on track. Keep a close watch on your speed as you transition from the highway portions onto Military Street North and the Andrew Jackson Highway. Taking this approach allows you to arrive in Decatur refreshed and ready for your day, rather than feeling drained by a long time behind the wheel.

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 37.9 miles from Hamilton, AL, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.2 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 17 miles or 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 37.9 miles or 44m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Decatur, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hamilton, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hamilton, AL

This is one driving day of about 75.9 miles and 1h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Hamilton, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on AL 24 for about 43.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Franklin County, Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Russellville, AL

38 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

Hackleburg, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Russellville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.9 miles from Hamilton, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Decatur, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Decatur, Alabama

1.3 mi

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Decatur, Alabama

+12563069992

Sonic Drive-In

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12565849724

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12563506263

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Trinity, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Noodoe Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19094681118

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18776642738

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Decatur, Alabama

+18333994638

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Decatur, Alabama

+18889982546

Dismals Canyon

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Phil Campbell, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12059934559

Visit website

Chickasaw Indian Mounds

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Hamilton, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 75.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 43; AL 17 / Military Street North

Turn left onto US 43; AL 17 / Military Street North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
4
30.3 mi into trip | ~34m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
30.5 mi into trip | ~35m in | AL 24

Merge onto AL 24

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
75.7 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | 4th Avenue Northeast

Turn left onto 4th Avenue Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
75.8 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | Lee Street Northeast

Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.46 one way

$22.93 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $12.58 $25.17
premium $4.56 $13.62 $27.25
diesel $5.61 $16.76 $33.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.8 0 $7.97 $3.64
Efficient EV 19 0 $6.64 $3.04
EV Truck/SUV 30.4 0 $10.63 $4.86

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Hamilton, AL

Late night in Hamilton on Tuesday

Local time

3:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Decatur, AL

Late night in Decatur on Tuesday

Local time

3:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Russellville, AL

38 mi in

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

1 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

1h 32m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is characterized as a highway-focused drive, with about 61% of your time spent on major roadways. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, including a significant 43.2-mile stretch along AL 24. Expect the road to feel consistent rather than overly technical, as it balances faster highway segments with transitions onto local streets. While the drive is relatively short, the mix of highway and local roads requires you to stay alert as you shift between different road types. It is the kind of drive where you can make steady progress, allowing you to focus on the road ahead as you move through the Alabama landscape.

61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.2 mi on AL 24.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 24 and Military Street North. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 43; AL 17 / Military Street North.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 32m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 43; AL 17 / Military Street North): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 30.5 miles (AL 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 75.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 43.2 miles on AL 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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: near the start (US 43; AL 17 / Military Street North): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 30.5 miles (AL 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Decatur, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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