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Trip from Pell City, AL to Decatur, AL

Drive Time

2h 15m

Distance

112.7 mi

181 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

45 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 6m ★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Pell City, AL, AL

Pell City, AL

Kelly

Downtown Decatur, AL, AL

Decatur, AL

Google DeepMind

Trip Overview

The drive from Pell City, AL to Decatur, AL covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, I 20, Point Mallard Parkway Southeast for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.23 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

56.4 miles from Pell City, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 15m highway drive covering 112.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 67 miles on I 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 67 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

926 ft 493 ft

Total Climb

480 ft

Total Descent

645 ft

Highest Point

926 ft

~80.5 mi in

Elevation Range

433 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 112.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (Erwin Dairy Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
32.2 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 128 Toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street
8
32.5 mi into trip | ~38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward AL 79 North: Tallapoosa Street North, Tarrant

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward AL 79 North: Tallapoosa Street North, Ta...
6
34.7 mi into trip | ~42m in | Erwin Dairy Road

At end of road, turn right onto Erwin Dairy Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.
7
36.2 mi into trip | ~46m in | US 31 / Decatur Highway

Turn sharp right onto US 31 / Decatur Highway

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
104.5 mi into trip | ~2h 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Pell City, AL and Decatur, AL, road signs point toward Tarrant, 67: Decatur, Priceville and Somerville.

Tarrant

32.5 mi in | ~38m

67: Decatur

104.5 mi in | ~2h

Priceville

104.5 mi in | ~2h

Somerville

104.5 mi in | ~2h

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 67 mi 1h 11m
I 20 30.3 mi 34m
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast 4.5 mi 6m
6th Avenue Southeast 3 mi 5m
Vanderbilt Road 1.4 mi 2m
Martin Street 1.2 mi 1m
Decatur Highway 0.9 mi 1m
Erwin Dairy Road 0.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 67 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pell City, AL and Decatur, AL.

1

Start on US 78

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Cogswell Avenue
2

Turn left onto Comer Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Comer Avenue
3

Turn left onto US 231

1.2 mi · 1 min · Martin Street
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Use the slight right lane.
5

Merge onto I 20

30 mi · 34 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 128 Toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

324 ft · 7 sec
Toward AL 79 North: Tallapoosa Street North, Tarrant Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on AL 79

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Tallapoosa Street
Use the left lane.
9

Continue on AL 79

1.4 mi · 2 min · Vanderbilt Road
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn left onto Cedar Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Cedar Street
Use the left lane.
11

At end of road, turn right onto Erwin Dairy Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · Erwin Dairy Road
Use the left / right lanes.
12

Continue on 47th Avenue North

0.6 mi · 1 min · 47th Avenue North
13

Turn sharp right onto US 31

0.9 mi · 1 min · Decatur Highway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto I 65

67 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 334 Toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
17

Turn left onto AL 67

4.5 mi · 6 min · Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn right onto US 31

3.0 mi · 5 min · 6th Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on US 31

0.1 mi · 14 sec · 6th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Lee Street Northeast
Use the straight lane.
21

Turn right

82 ft · 6 sec
22

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 56.4 miles from Pell City, AL, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67 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 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 56.4 miles or 1h 9m 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 47m

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 Pell City, 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 Pell City, AL

This is one driving day of about 112.7 miles and 2h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pell City, 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 67 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.4 mi from Pell City, AL · 1h 9m into the drive

Downtown Hayden, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hayden, AL

56 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

Hayden, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hayden, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.4 miles from Pell City, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67 miles.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

National Monument

In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 31.1
View on nps.gov
Freedom Riders National Monument

Freedom Riders National Monument

National Monument

In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.23 one way

$34.46 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $18.90 $37.79
premium $4.61 $20.45 $40.91
diesel $5.64 $25.04 $50.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

45 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

1st Avenue South - Tesla Supercharger

Birmingham, AL

Tesla

28 DCFC

Buc-ee's - Tesla Supercharger

Leeds, AL

Tesla

17 DCFC

Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Birmingham, AL

Tesla

16 DCFC

Walmart - Tesla Supercharger

Pell City, AL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Lane Parke Shopping Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Mountain Brook, AL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Uptown Entertainment District - Tesla Supercharger

Birmingham, AL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Santos Coffee - Tesla Supercharger

Gardendale, AL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger

Cullman, AL

Tesla

8 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 22 Tesla: 8 MERCEDES_BENZ: 5 eVgo Network: 3 CHAEVI: 2 CHARGELAB: 1 Electrify America: 1 RED_E: 1 EV Connect: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.8 0 $11.83 $5.41
Efficient EV 28.2 0 $9.86 $4.51
EV Truck/SUV 45.1 0 $15.78 $7.21

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Pell City, AL

Evening in Pell City on Sunday

Local time

6:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Decatur, AL

Evening in Decatur on Sunday

Local time

6:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Hayden, AL

56 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 15m 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 Pell City, AL to Decatur, AL covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 20, Point Mallard Parkway Southeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.4 miles from Pell City, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.23 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 112.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (Erwin Dairy Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Pell City, AL and Decatur, AL, road signs point toward Tarrant, 67: Decatur, Priceville and Somerville.

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Return Trip

Decatur, AL to Pell City, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

116 mi 2h 15m

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