The drive from Trussville, AL to Decatur, AL covers 92.8 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 I 65, I 59, 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 $14.01 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.
Midpoint
46.4 miles from Trussville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 92.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 53m highway drive covering 92.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 59. 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 26 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.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.8 miles you will encounter 20 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 459 North: Gadsden, Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 459 North: Gadsden, Birmingham
8
3.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 59 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 33A
Toward I 59 South: Birmingham
7
12.3 mi into trip|~16m 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
12.6 mi into trip|~16m 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...
7
16.4 mi into trip|~25m 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Trussville, AL and Decatur, AL, road signs point toward Tarrant, 67: Decatur, Priceville and Somerville.
Tarrant
12.6 mi in|~16m
67: Decatur
84.7 mi in|~1h 39m
Priceville
84.7 mi in|~1h 39m
Somerville
84.7 mi in|~1h 39m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
67 mi
1h 11m
I 59
8.4 mi
9m
Point Mallard Parkway Southeast
4.5 mi
6m
6th Avenue Southeast
3 mi
5m
Gadsden Highway
2.1 mi
3m
Vanderbilt Road
1.4 mi
2m
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 Trussville, AL and Decatur, AL.
1
Start on this road
197 ft·16 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Linden Street
114 ft·7 sec·Linden Street
3
Turn right onto CR 94
384 ft·11 sec·South Chalkville Road
4
Turn right onto US 11
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Continue on US 11
2.1 mi·3 min·Gadsden Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward I 459 North: Gadsden, BirminghamUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 459
0.3 mi·16 sec·John M. Harbert III Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 33AToward I 59 South: BirminghamUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 59
8.4 mi·9 min·I 59
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 128Toward AL 79: Tallapoosa StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
324 ft·7 sec
Toward AL 79 North: Tallapoosa Street North, TarrantUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on AL 79
0.3 mi·36 sec·Tallapoosa Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on AL 79
1.4 mi·2 min·Vanderbilt Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto Cedar Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Cedar Street
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn right onto Erwin Dairy Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Erwin Dairy Road
Use the left / right lanes.
16
Continue on 47th Avenue North
0.6 mi·1 min·47th Avenue North
17
Turn sharp right onto US 31
0.9 mi·1 min·Decatur Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 65 North: HuntsvilleUse the slight right lane.
The midpoint is around 46.4 miles from Trussville, 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.
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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.01 one way
$28.03 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.39
$30.77
premium
$4.56
$16.66
$33.31
diesel
$5.61
$20.49
$40.98
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: 32.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.8
0
$9.74
$4.45
Efficient EV
23.2
0
$8.12
$3.71
EV Truck/SUV
37.1
0
$12.99
$5.94
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Trussville, AL
Afternoon
in Trussville on Thursday
Local time
12:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Decatur, AL
Afternoon
in Decatur on Thursday
Local time
12:47 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 53m 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 Trussville, AL to Decatur, AL covers 92.8 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 59, 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 46.4 miles from Trussville, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.01 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Trussville, AL and Decatur, AL, road signs point toward Tarrant, 67: Decatur, Priceville and Somerville.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.
