How far is Huntsville, AL from Muscle Shoals, AL?

The driving distance from Huntsville, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL is about 69 miles (111.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.4 miles (98.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
69.02 mi
01h 26m
Flight
61.42 mi
98.84 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Huntsville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
61.42 mi
Kilometers
98.84 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
69.02 mi
Kilometers
111.08 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 01h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Muscle Shoals
Sat, Apr 18, 8:43 AM CDT
Return by in Huntsville
Sat, Apr 18, 10:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Huntsville
2026-04-18T07:17
Arrive Muscle Shoals
Sat, Apr 18, 8:43 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Huntsville
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Trinity
AL

Town in Morgan County, Alabama

From Huntsville
34.5 mi
00h 43m
To Muscle Shoals
34.5 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Huntsville and Muscle Shoals.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville and Muscle Shoals.

  1. 1

    Start on Spring Street Southwest

    1 m · 4 sec · Spring Street Southwest

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Side Square

    115 m · 16 sec · West Side Square

  3. 3

    Continue on South Side Square

    113 m · 16 sec · South Side Square

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Side Square

    113 m · 9 sec · East Side Square

  5. 5

    Continue on Washington Street Southeast

    111 m · 9 sec · Washington Street Southeast

  6. 6

    Continue on Washington Street Northeast

    2489 ft · 54 sec · Washington Street Northeast

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight left

    1580 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    18.9 mi · 20 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    624 ft · 9 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Huntsville-Decatur Highway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Bee Line Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Bee Line Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    41.5 mi · 52 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Woodward Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Avalon Avenue

    15 m · 1 sec · Avalon Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Avalon Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Huntsville and Muscle Shoals.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bee Line Highway
43.1 mi · 62%
Washington Street Northeast
19.8 mi · 29%
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3.52 mi · 5%
Woodward Avenue
2.31 mi · 3%
West Side Square
0.07 mi
South Side Square
0.07 mi
Longest Stretch

Bee Line Highway

Keep slight right

41.5 mi · 00h 52m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.6 mi
61.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Trinity
00h 43m from Huntsville
Leave By
3:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Huntsville 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 Huntsville to Muscle Shoals?

The road trip is about 69 miles (111.1 km) and usually takes 01h 26m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Trinity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.5 miles from Huntsville and 34.5 miles from Muscle Shoals.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 61.4 miles (98.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.24 one way or $18.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Huntsville and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Muscle Shoals.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Huntsville and Muscle Shoals. Straight-line distance: 61.42 mi (98.84 km).

Huntsville

#1 Huntsville

The second most populous city in Alabama.

Population202,964
Coordinates34.7304000, -86.5859400
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Muscle Shoals

#2 Muscle Shoals

City in Alabama, USA

Population14,877
Coordinates34.7448100, -87.6675300
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Huntsville (-86.58594, 34.7304)
End: Muscle Shoals (-87.66753, 34.74481)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 111 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.44 gal
9.22 L · about $9.24
Round trip
$18.48
4.88 gal · 18.44 L
Estimated CO2
21.7 kg one way
Round trip: 43.4 kg / 96 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $9.24 $18.48
Mid-grade $4.26 $10.39 $20.78
Premium $4.63 $11.29 $22.57
Diesel $5.42 $13.21 $26.43

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

There is no time difference between Huntsville and Muscle Shoals. The current time is 07:17:25.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.