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Trip from Robertsdale, AL to Decatur, AL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 19m

Distance

334.4 mi

538 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 7m ★
6 AM
6h 20m
8 AM
6h 45m
10 AM
6h 29m
12 PM
6h 26m
3 PM
6h 30m
5 PM
6h 44m
8 PM
6h 12m

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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city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States

Robertsdale, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Decatur, AL, AL

Decatur, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 334.4-mile drive from Robertsdale, Alabama, to Decatur, Alabama, is a substantial journey that can be completed in about 6 hours and 19 minutes. Given its length and duration, it’s best suited as a single-day trip, especially since it’s primarily highway-focused. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $51. You'll be spending most of your time on I-65, making it a straightforward, albeit long, travel day. This route takes you across the Southeast region of the US, so expect consistent scenery throughout your journey.

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

167.2 miles from Robertsdale, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 294.8 mi 5h 20m
Milwaukee Street 21.5 mi 28m
Bay Minette Bypass 5.3 mi 9m
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast 4.5 mi 6m
Rabun Road 4.2 mi 6m
6th Avenue Southeast 3 mi 5m
Lee Street Northeast 0.2 mi <1m
Pennsylvania Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 294.8 mi, about 5h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Pennsylvania Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Pennsylvania Street
2

Turn left onto AL 59

22 mi · 28 min · Milwaukee Street
3

Continue on US 31; AL 59

5.3 mi · 9 min · Bay Minette Bypass
4

Continue on AL 287

4.2 mi · 6 min · Rabun Road
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
6

Merge onto I 65

295 mi · 5 hr 20 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 334 Toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
8

Turn left onto AL 67

4.5 mi · 6 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
Use the straight lane.
9

Turn right onto US 31

3.0 mi · 5 min · 6th Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 31

0.1 mi · 14 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right

82 ft · 6 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Robertsdale to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight. With a single recommended stop, plan your break strategically along I-65, perhaps around the halfway point, to refresh. The fuel cost is estimated at $51, so factor that into your budget. Given the long stretch on I-65, ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you set off. A specific tip for this route: keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 294.8-mile mark on I-65, as services might be less frequent in that section.

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 167.2 miles from Robertsdale, AL, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 294.8 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 74 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 167.2 miles or 3h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 9m

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 Robertsdale, 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 Robertsdale, AL

This is one driving day of about 334.4 miles and 6h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Robertsdale, 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 294.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Alabama, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Prattville, AL

167 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

Andalusia, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Thorsby, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 167.2 miles from Robertsdale, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 294.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Decatur, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 334.4

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Decatur, Alabama

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Prevail Union | MGM

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Montgomery, Alabama

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.2

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13344168399

Visit website

Rickenbacker's Touch & Go Coffee Shop

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Montgomery, Alabama

1.4 mi

Hilltop Public House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Montgomery, Alabama

2.3 mi

The Mallard Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 334.4

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17706340731

Visit website

Hooters

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 238.8

Pelham, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+12056829464

Visit website

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 334.4

Decatur, Alabama

+12563069992

Sonic Drive-In

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 334.4

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12565849724

Visit website

Subway

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 214.9

Jemison, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12056885085

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 334.4

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12563506263

Visit website

Vintage Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13343561944

Visit website

Panda Express

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv mile 238.8

Hoover, AL

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12054032879

Visit website

Prevail Union | MGM

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13344168399

Visit website

Rickenbacker's Touch & Go Coffee Shop

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13349537662

Hilltop Public House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13342397752

Visit website

Red Tail Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13345174796

Visit website

Baristas and Barristers

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Elevation Café

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+13349290600

Visit website

Galleria Coffee 168

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 238.8

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12055414348

Good Brew

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 119.4

Greenville, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+13343712739

Visit website

Livingston Charge Port Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Robertsdale, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 334.4

Decatur, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 47.8

Atmore, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 23.9

Bay Minette, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Downtown Montgomery EV Charger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 23.9

Bay Minette, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 238.8

Pelham, Alabama

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 47.8

Atmore, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Bay Minette Kids Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 23.9

Bay Minette, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12515801619

Visit website

Oak Mountain State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 238.8

Pelham, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12056202520

Visit website

Spear Hunting Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Summerdale, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12519897700

Visit website

Alligator Alley

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Summerdale, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12519462483

Visit website

The MOOseum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 167.2

Montgomery, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+13342651867

Visit website

Aldridge Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 238.8

Hoover, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+12057396558

Visit website

Dinosaur Adventure Land

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 71.6

Repton, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18552443466

Visit website

Let's Play Hoover

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 238.8

Hoover, Alabama

+12057188993

Visit website

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 0.2 and 334.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | AL 59 / Milwaukee Street

Turn left onto AL 59 / Milwaukee Street

Navigation decision point

5
31.4 mi into trip | ~45m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
326.2 mi into trip | ~6h 5m in

Take the exit toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 334 Toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
5
331 mi into trip | ~6h 13m in | US 31 / 6th Avenue Southeast

Turn right onto US 31 / 6th Avenue Southeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
334.1 mi into trip | ~6h 19m in | Lee Street Northeast

Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.50 one way

$101.00 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 117 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $55.44 $110.88
premium $4.56 $60.02 $120.04
diesel $5.61 $73.83 $147.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 117 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 100.3 1 $35.11 $16.05
Efficient EV 83.6 0 $29.26 $13.38
EV Truck/SUV 133.8 1 $46.82 $21.40

Gas CO2

117 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Robertsdale, AL

Evening in Robertsdale on Saturday

Local time

8:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Decatur, AL

Evening in Decatur on Saturday

Local time

8:28 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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 19m 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

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 253.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for 90% of this trip, covering 334.4 miles. The majority of your time will be spent on I-65, which allows for consistent speed and minimal interruptions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 294.8 miles on I-65. While this offers efficiency, it means the driving experience is largely consistent, with minimal deviations onto local roads like Milwaukee Street or the Bay Minette Bypass. This profile suggests a steady pace with few opportunities for spontaneous exploration off the main interstate.

90% 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: 294.8 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Milwaukee Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near AL 59 / Milwaukee Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (AL 59 / Milwaukee Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 326.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 334.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 294.8 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Decatur, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (AL 59 / Milwaukee Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 326.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Decatur, 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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