Columbia, South Carolina to Decatur, Alabama: Road Trip Guide & Distance

342 miles 550.4 km · straight line
410.4 miles estimated 660.5 km · driving distance
8h 15min estimated drive time
$39 - $49 estimated fuel cost
~1h 11min flight time
279° W bearing direction

How far is Columbia, South Carolina from Decatur, Alabama?

The distance from Columbia, South Carolina to Decatur, Alabama is 342 miles (550.4 km) as the crow flies. Decatur, Alabama is located W of Columbia, South Carolina. By car, the driving distance is approximately 410.4 miles, taking about 8h 15min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 11min. Both are located in United States — Columbia, South Carolina in South Carolina and Decatur, Alabama in Alabama.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Columbia, South Carolina and Decatur, Alabama. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Columbia, South Carolina to Decatur, Alabama

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 8h 15min $39 - $49 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 11min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~9h 54min $33–$62* Budget
Train ~7h 50min $49–$144* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Columbia, South Carolina & Decatur, Alabama

Quick Facts

Columbia, South Carolina
34.00°N, 81.03°W
America/New_York
89m elevation
Decatur, Alabama
34.61°N, 86.98°W
America/Chicago
171m elevation
Explore more routes from Decatur, Alabama

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 114 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 29 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 72.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients