Origin
Samson, AL
Evening in Samson on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Samson, AL to Decatur, AL
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
294.1 mi
473 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Samson, AL
mori dad
Decatur, AL
Google DeepMind
Trip Overview
Traveling from Samson to Decatur covers 294.1 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. Since the entire journey stays within Alabama, you will transition from the Southeast region toward the northern part of the state. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it does not require an overnight stay to reach your destination. You should budget about $40 for fuel to complete the trek. Because the route relies heavily on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a distinct, turn-heavy experience that differs from standard highway driving.
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
147 miles from Samson, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on driving experience as you navigate this 294.1-mile path, which features a 0% highway share. You will rely on local routes like River Falls Street, Mobile Road, and Highway 67 to reach your destination. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches—River Falls Street specifically offers no prolonged straightaways—you will need to stay alert for frequent turns. This is a technical, local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. It is a departure from the typical, monotonous interstate grind, keeping you engaged with the road throughout the duration of the trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
River Falls Street 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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 34m 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 Samson, AL to Decatur, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| River Falls Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Mobile Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 67 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Point Mallard Parkway Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 6th Avenue Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lee Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
River Falls Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Samson, AL and Decatur, AL.
1
Start on Main Street
17 mi
·
25 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn left
18 mi
·
21 min
3
Take the exit slight right
217 ft
·
6 sec
4
Turn slight right onto River Falls Street
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
River Falls Street
5
Turn right
18 mi
·
20 min
6
Continue on Mobile Road
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Mobile Road
7
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
8
Merge slight left
218 mi
·
3 hr 58 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward 67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
67: Decatur, Priceville, Somerville
10
Turn left onto Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
11
Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
6th Avenue Southeast
12
Continue on 6th Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
6th Avenue Northeast
13
Turn left onto Lee Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Lee Street Northeast
14
Turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4 hour and 34 minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since you aren't dealing with high-speed highway traffic, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as you navigate the local turns. Aim to depart early in the day to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the more technical sections of the route. Given the $40 fuel estimate, it is wise to keep an eye on your gauge while passing through smaller towns, as fueling opportunities may be spaced differently than on major interstates. Most importantly, stay mindful of the turn-heavy nature of the route when calculating your arrival time, as your average speed will be lower than on a standard highway.
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 147 miles from Samson, AL, or about 2h 17m 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 80 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147 miles or 2h 17m 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 45m
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 Samson, 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 Samson, AL
This is one driving day of about 294.1 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Samson, 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 147 mi from Samson, AL · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 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 147 miles from Samson, 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
$44.96 one way
$89.92 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $49.31 | $98.63 |
| premium | $4.61 | $53.38 | $106.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.34 | $130.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.2 | 1 | $30.88 | $14.12 |
| Efficient EV | 73.5 | 0 | $25.73 | $11.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.6 | 1 | $41.17 | $18.82 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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
Evening in Decatur on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Columbiana, AL
147 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
1 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 34m 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 Samson, AL to Decatur, AL covers 294.1 miles and takes about 4h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are River Falls Street, Mobile Road, 67. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147 miles from Samson, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.96 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 34m 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 Samson, AL to Decatur, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Samson, AL to Decatur, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Decatur, AL
More trips to Decatur, AL
Explore more options from Samson, AL or browse trips ending in Decatur, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Samson, AL or Decatur, AL on MapSof.net.