Drive Time
6h 47m
Distance
361.6 mi
582 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
Photo: Alfo Medeiros
The drive from Decatur, AL to Bayou La Batre, AL covers 361.6 miles and takes about 6h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ferry Street Northeast, Lee Street Northeast, 6th Avenue Northeast for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.28 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
180.8 miles from Decatur, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 47m drive with frequent turns across 361.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 47m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Decatur, AL to Bayou La Batre, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lee Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 6th Avenue Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Point Mallard Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-65 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 22 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Montgomery | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Bayou La Batre, AL.
Start on the route
At the end of the road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
At the end of the road, turn right onto 6th Avenue Northeast
Continue on 6th Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway
Take the ramp slight right toward I-65 South: Birmingham
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Mississippi
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward CR 39: Bayou La Batre, Dawes
Keep slight right to continue on CR 39 North: Dawes
Turn straight onto McDonald Road
Continue on McDonald Road
Continue on CR 39
Continue on McDonald Road
Continue on CR 39
Continue on Padgett Switch Road
Turn left onto Wintzell Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.8 miles or 3h 23m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bayou La Batre, AL than in the middle of the route.
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 361.6 miles and 6h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.8 mi from Decatur, AL · 3h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 180.8 miles from Decatur, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Bayou La Batre, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bayou La Batre, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$55.28 one way
$110.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $60.63 | $121.26 |
| premium | $4.61 | $65.63 | $131.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $80.33 | $160.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.5 | 1 | $37.97 | $17.36 |
| Efficient EV | 90.4 | 1 | $31.64 | $14.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.6 | 1 | $50.62 | $23.14 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Decatur on Sunday
Local time
5:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Bayou La Batre on Sunday
Local time
5:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
86°F
Columbiana, AL
181 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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