How far is Dothan, AL from Muscle Shoals, AL?
The driving distance from Dothan, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL is about 304.7 miles (490.4 km), with a travel time of about 06h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 276.8 miles (445.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 06h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Marshall County, Alabama, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dothan and Muscle Shoals.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dothan and Muscle Shoals.
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1
Start on East Main Street
34 m · 6 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
1658 ft · 53 sec · North Saint Andrews Street
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3
Turn left onto East Burdeshaw Street
703 ft · 23 sec · East Burdeshaw Street
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4
Turn right onto North Oates Street
3032 ft · 1 min · North Oates Street
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery Highway
7.1 mi · 12 min · Montgomery Highway
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6
Continue straight
2980 ft · 39 sec
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7
Continue straight
16 mi · 21 min
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8
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 24 min
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9
Continue straight
2262 ft · 35 sec
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10
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 7 min
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11
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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12
Continue straight
2531 ft · 56 sec
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13
Continue straight
2938 ft · 1 min
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14
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
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15
Continue straight
859 ft · 15 sec
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16
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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19
Continue straight
36.1 mi · 43 min
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20
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road
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21
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road
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22
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
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23
Turn right onto Ann Street
911 ft · 27 sec · Ann Street
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24
Turn left onto Ann Street South
1322 ft · 32 sec
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25
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
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26
Keep slight right to continue on I-65 North: Birmingham
1759 ft · 43 sec
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27
Merge slight left
138.3 mi · 2 hr 32 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
1215 ft · 29 sec
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29
Turn left onto Section Line Road
61 m · 4 sec · Section Line Road
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30
Continue on University of North Alabama Highway
55.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min · University of North Alabama Highway
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31
Merge slight right onto Wheeler Highway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Wheeler Highway
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32
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · Woodward Avenue
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33
Turn right onto Avalon Avenue
15 m · 1 sec · Avalon Avenue
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Avalon Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dothan and Muscle Shoals.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I-65 North
Merge slight left
138 mi · 02h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny leaving Dothan and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Muscle Shoals.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dothan to Muscle Shoals?
The road trip is about 304.7 miles (490.4 km) and usually takes 06h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Union Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.5 miles from Dothan and 152.2 miles from Muscle Shoals.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 276.8 miles (445.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.71 one way or $81.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Dothan and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Muscle Shoals.
Stop Ideas Near Union Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Union Grove.
Brent, AL
Birmingham
Selma, AL
Marion, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dothan and Muscle Shoals. Straight-line distance: 276.78 mi (445.43 km).
#1 Dothan
The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.
| Population | 69,414 |
| Coordinates | 31.2232300, -85.3904900 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Muscle Shoals
City in Alabama, USA
| Population | 14,877 |
| Coordinates | 34.7448100, -87.6675300 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: Muscle Shoals (-87.66753, 34.74481)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 490 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $40.71 | $81.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $45.78 | $91.57 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $49.72 | $99.44 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $58.21 | $116.42 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Alabama · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.