Origin
Fairfield, AL
Afternoon in Fairfield on Thursday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, AL to Decatur, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
267.1 mi
430 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 49m
★
6 AM
4h 2m
8 AM
4h 28m
10 AM
4h 11m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairfield, AL to Decatur, AL covers 267.1 miles and takes about 4h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Loango Road, Ealum Mill Road, County Road 107 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.34 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
133.6 miles from Fairfield, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 267.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 1m drive with frequent turns across 267.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Loango Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 1m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fairfield, AL to Decatur, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Loango Road | — | — |
| Ealum Mill Road | — | — |
| County Road 107 | — | — |
| County Road 82 | — | — |
| Mobile Road | — | — |
| 67 | — | — |
| Point Mallard Parkway Southeast | — | — |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Loango Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, AL and Decatur, AL.
1
Start on Judge Smith Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Judge Smith Road
2
Turn right onto Loango Road
8.5 mi
·
20 min
·
Loango Road
3
Continue on Ealum Mill Road
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Ealum Mill Road
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 107
203 ft
·
11 sec
·
County Road 107
5
Turn right onto County Road 82
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
County Road 82
6
Turn sharp left
12 mi
·
14 min
7
Continue on Mobile Road
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Mobile Road
8
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
9
Merge slight left
218 mi
·
3 hr 58 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
11
Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
12
Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
6th Avenue Southeast
13
Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
6th Avenue Northeast
14
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Lee Street Northeast
15
Turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.6 miles from Fairfield, AL, or about 2h into the drive.
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 59 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.6 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
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 Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, AL
This is one driving day of about 267.1 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Fairfield, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.6 mi from Fairfield, AL · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.6 miles from Fairfield, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Decatur, AL
The final approach into Decatur, 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 Decatur, 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
$40.34 one way
$80.68 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $44.28 | $88.56 |
| premium | $4.56 | $47.94 | $95.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.97 | $117.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.1 | 0 | $28.05 | $12.82 |
| Efficient EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.37 | $10.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.8 | 1 | $37.39 | $17.09 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Afternoon in Decatur on Thursday
Local time
12:18 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
3 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
4h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fairfield, AL to Decatur, AL covers 267.1 miles and takes about 4h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Loango Road, Ealum Mill Road, County Road 107. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.6 miles from Fairfield, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 1m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fairfield, AL to Decatur, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fairfield, AL to Decatur, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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