Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
89.2 mi
144 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Photo: Muhammad Nabeel
The drive from Decatur, AL to Guin, AL covers 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on AL 24, Andrew Jackson Highway, Gordon Terry Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.4 miles on AL 24. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.64 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
44.6 miles from Decatur, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
The drive from Decatur, AL to Guin, AL covers 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 53m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ferry Street Northeast.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 53m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 0.1 miles (2nd Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Moulton Street East): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Continue onto 2nd Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 43: Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Hamilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Lane positioning matters here
Between Decatur, AL and Guin, AL, road signs point toward Muscle Shoals and Hamilton.
Muscle Shoals
Hamilton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 24 | 35.4 mi | 42m |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 34.5 mi | 42m |
| Gordon Terry Parkway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| US 43 | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| U.S. Highway 43 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Moulton Street East | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| 2nd Avenue Northeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ferry Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AL and Guin, AL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn left onto Ferry Street Northeast
Continue on 2nd Avenue Northeast
Turn right onto Moulton Street East
Continue on Gordon Terry Parkway
Continue on AL 24
Continue on AL 24
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 43; AL 13; AL 17
Turn right onto US 43; AL 17
Continue on US 43; AL 17
Continue on US 43; AL 17
Continue on US 43; US 278; AL 171
Turn left onto US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Arrive at destination
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.
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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 56m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Guin, 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 89.2 miles and 1h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.6 mi from Decatur, AL · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 44.6 miles from Decatur, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Guin, 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 Guin, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.64 one way
$27.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.96 | $29.91 |
| premium | $4.61 | $16.19 | $32.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.82 | $39.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 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 | 26.8 | 0 | $9.37 | $4.28 |
| Efficient EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Decatur on Saturday
Local time
5:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Guin on Saturday
Local time
5:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
83°F
Bear Creek, AL
45 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Decatur, AL or browse trips ending in Guin, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Decatur, AL or Guin, AL on MapSof.net.
