Origin
Decatur, AL
Evening in Decatur on Sunday
Local time
5:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Decatur, AL to Chalkville, AL
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
87.4 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AL
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Chalkville, AL
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Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Decatur to Chalkville, you can expect an efficient drive covering 87.4 miles. This straightforward route typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize I-65, alongside stretches of Carson Road and Point Mallard Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it is an economical choice for travelers moving through the Southeast. Since both locations are within Alabama, the journey remains consistent in terms of regional climate and driving conditions. It is a practical, no-nonsense trip that gets you to your destination quickly without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
43.7 miles from Decatur, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, as the route features a 65.5-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-65. While the interstate provides the bulk of the mileage, the transition onto Carson Road and Point Mallard Parkway shifts the driving experience from a fast-paced transit to a more localized feel. Expect a functional, direct drive that favors speed and reliability over winding backroads. Staying focused during that long interstate segment is key, as the road character remains largely consistent until you reach the final approach to Chalkville.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 65.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Carson Road. You will hit about 12 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.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.4 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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.
7
73.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Walkers Chapel Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 267
Toward Walkers Chapel Road
7
73.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Fultondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Fultondale
6
83.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
Sweeny Hollow Road
Turn right onto Sweeny Hollow Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Decatur, AL to Chalkville, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Fultondale along the way.
Fultondale
73.9 mi in
|
~1h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 65.5 mi | 1h 10m |
| Carson Road | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| Point Mallard Parkway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Sweeny Hollow Road | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | 3 mi | 5m |
| Pinson Valley Parkway | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Walker Chapel Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| New Castle Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 65.5 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Chalkville, 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
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Point Mallard Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I-65 South: Birmingham
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 65
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 65
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 267
Toward Walkers Chapel Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
272 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Fultondale
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto Walker Chapel Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Walker Chapel Road
Use the left / right lanes.
12
Continue on New Castle Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
New Castle Road
13
Turn straight onto Carson Road
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Carson Road
14
Turn left onto AL 79
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Pinson Valley Parkway
15
Turn right onto Sweeny Hollow Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Sweeny Hollow Road
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto Brewster Road
523 ft
·
31 sec
·
Brewster Road
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left onto Old Springville Road Northeast
74 ft
·
1 sec
·
Old Springville Road Northeast
18
Arrive at destination
Old Springville Road Northeast
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short at under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. Aim to avoid peak traffic hours on I-65 to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 50 minute travel time. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way given the duration, but keeping your fuel tank in mind is wise given the $13 estimated cost. Since you are spending most of your time on the interstate, pay close attention to signs when transitioning off I-65 onto the secondary roads like Carson Road. Taking advantage of the quick transit time allows you to maximize your day at your destination without feeling exhausted from the road.
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 43.7 miles from Decatur, AL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.5 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.7 miles or 52m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chalkville, 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 87.4 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Decatur, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 65.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.7 mi from Decatur, AL · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.7 miles from Decatur, 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 65.5 miles.
Arriving in Chalkville, AL
The final approach into Chalkville, 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 Chalkville, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.36 one way
$26.72 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.65 | $29.31 |
| premium | $4.61 | $15.86 | $31.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.42 | $38.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.18 | $4.20 |
| Efficient EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.65 | $3.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.59 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Chalkville, AL
Evening in Chalkville on Sunday
Local time
5:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Hayden, AL
44 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
2 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 50m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Decatur, AL to Chalkville, AL covers 87.4 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Carson Road, Point Mallard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.7 miles from Decatur, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Ferry Street Northeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (US 31 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Decatur, AL to Chalkville, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Fultondale along the way.
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