Origin
Hartford, AL
Afternoon in Hartford on Saturday
Local time
3:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hartford, AL to Decatur, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 33m
Distance
272.5 mi
439 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 20m
★
6 AM
5h 34m
8 AM
6h 0m
10 AM
5h 43m
12 PM
5h 40m
3 PM
5h 44m
5 PM
5h 59m
8 PM
5h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hartford, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Decatur, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hartford, AL to Decatur, AL covers 272.5 miles and takes about 5h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, US 231, AL 167 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 161.4 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.15 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
136.2 miles from Hartford, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 161.4 mi | 2h 56m |
| US 231 | 43.2 mi | 52m |
| AL 167 | 23.4 mi | 34m |
| Neil Metcalf Road | 22.8 mi | 34m |
| Point Mallard Parkway Southeast | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Boll Weevil Circle | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | 3 mi | 5m |
| I 85 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 161.4 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartford, AL and Decatur, AL.
1
Start on AL 123
62 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 3rd Avenue
2
Turn right onto AL 52
238 ft
·
6 sec
·
Mill Street
3
Turn slight left onto AL 52
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
4
Turn right onto AL 167
16 mi
·
23 min
·
AL 167
5
Turn right onto SR 167
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Boll Weevil Circle
6
Turn right onto AL 167
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Neal Metcalf Road
7
Continue on AL 167
23 mi
·
34 min
·
Neil Metcalf Road
8
Turn slight left onto AL 167
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
AL 167
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 231; AL 10
13
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231
14
Continue on US 231
36 mi
·
42 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
McGehee Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Carter Hill Road
17
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Zelda Road
18
Turn right onto Ann Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ann Street
19
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street South
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto I 85
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
22
Merge onto I 65; US 82
161 mi
·
2 hr 56 min
·
I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 334
Toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
24
Turn left onto AL 67
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto US 31
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
6th Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 31
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
6th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Lee Street Northeast
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
29
Arrive at 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 136.2 miles from Hartford, AL, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 161.4 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 60 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
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 Hartford, 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 Hartford, AL
This is one driving day of about 272.5 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Hartford, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 161.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.2 miles from Hartford, 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 161.4 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 99.8 and 264.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
99.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Turn left toward Ann Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street South
5
100 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
102.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
102.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
I 65; US 82
Merge onto I 65; US 82
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
264.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m 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
$41.15 one way
$82.31 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $45.18 | $90.35 |
| premium | $4.56 | $48.91 | $97.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.16 | $120.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.8 | 1 | $28.61 | $13.08 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.84 | $10.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109 | 1 | $38.15 | $17.44 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Decatur, AL
Afternoon in Decatur on Saturday
Local time
3:20 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
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
5h 33m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
272.5 mi in 5h 33m, mostly highway — 161.4 mi of that is on I 65.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 161.4 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 99.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 272.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 99.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 100 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
687 ft
251 ft
Total Climb
767 ft
Total Descent
472 ft
Highest Point
687 ft
~194.6 mi in
Elevation Range
436 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.
On the drive from Hartford, AL to Decatur, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.
Ann Street South
99.8 mi in
|
~2h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 272.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 161.4 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Decatur, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 99.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 100 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Decatur, AL before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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