Origin
Tarrant, AL
Late night in Tarrant on Friday
Local time
3:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tarrant, AL to Decatur, 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 35m
Distance
79.4 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tarrant, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Tarrant, AL to Decatur, AL is 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 35m via I 65 and local roads, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Alabama, traversing the Southeast region. Given its short duration and mostly highway profile, it's an easy same-day excursion. Plan for a straightforward drive with minimal fuss, making it ideal for a quick hop between these two Alabama locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.7 miles from Tarrant, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 67 mi | 1h 11m |
| Point Mallard Parkway Southeast | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | 3 mi | 5m |
| Decatur Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Erwin Dairy Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Pinson Valley Parkway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 47th Avenue North | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 67 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tarrant, AL and Decatur, AL.
1
Start on Pinson Street
63 ft
·
6 sec
·
Pinson Street
2
Turn left onto East Lake Boulevard
310 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Lake Boulevard
3
Turn left onto AL 79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Pinson Valley Parkway
4
Continue on AL 79
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Vanderbilt Road
5
Turn right onto Cedar Street
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Cedar Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
At end of road, turn right onto Erwin Dairy Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Erwin Dairy Road
Use the left / right lanes.
7
Continue on 47th Avenue North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
47th Avenue North
8
Turn sharp right onto US 31
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Decatur Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 65
67 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 334
Toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
12
Turn left onto AL 67
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto US 31
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
6th Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 31
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
6th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Lee Street Northeast
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time under two hours, this is a perfect same-day trip where you can leave anytime and still have plenty of daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at around $12, so fill up before you leave Tarrant to ensure you have enough. Given the short distance, you won't need to plan for extensive stops, but if you feel the need to stretch your legs, consider doing so just before exiting I 65. The transition from the interstate to local roads like Point Mallard Parkway Southeast and 6th Avenue Southeast will be the most noticeable change in driving pace.
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 39.7 miles from Tarrant, AL, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 47m 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 17m
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 Tarrant, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tarrant, AL
This is one driving day of about 79.4 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Tarrant, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 67 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from Tarrant, 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 67 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 71.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Cedar Street
Turn right onto Cedar Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Erwin Dairy Road
At end of road, turn right onto Erwin Dairy Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 31 / Decatur Highway
Turn sharp right onto US 31 / Decatur Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 65 North: Huntsville
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
6
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.63 one way
$23.26 round trip
$3.72/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $12.91 | $25.83 |
| premium | $4.49 | $14.02 | $28.05 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $17.50 | $35.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.34 | $3.81 |
| Efficient EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.95 | $3.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.12 | $5.08 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Decatur, AL
Late night in Decatur on Friday
Local time
3:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Good Hope, AL
40 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
20 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
1h 35m 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 route is primarily highway, with 91% of the drive on interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 67 miles on I 65 before transitioning to surface streets. Expect a significant portion of your travel to involve cruising at higher speeds on the interstate. The final miles will shift to local roads, likely involving more frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you approach your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Point Mallard Parkway Southeast. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Cedar Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 79.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 1 miles (Cedar Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Erwin Dairy Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 31 / Decatur Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
998 ft
410 ft
Total Climb
892 ft
Total Descent
868 ft
Highest Point
998 ft
~54.3 mi in
Elevation Range
588 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 Tarrant, AL and Decatur, AL, road signs point toward 67: Decatur, Priceville and Somerville.
67: Decatur
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Priceville
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Somerville
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 21m
About the Cities
Starting in Tarrant, AL
Full guide →Founded 1912
Arriving 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
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 35m. Total distance: 79.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67 miles on I 65. 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: at 1 miles (Cedar Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Erwin Dairy Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 31 / Decatur Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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