How far is Muscle Shoals, AL from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance from Muscle Shoals, AL to Birmingham, AL is about 113.5 miles (182.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 98 miles (157.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Muscle Shoals and Birmingham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscle Shoals and Birmingham.
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1
Start on Avalon Avenue
15 m · 9 sec · Avalon Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Woodward Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Woodward Avenue
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3
Continue straight
1 mi · 2 min
-
4
Turn left onto Wheeler Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Wheeler Highway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi · 1 hr 6 min · University of North Alabama Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I-65 South: Birmingham
1557 ft · 38 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Heroes Highway
43.8 mi · 47 min · Heroes Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
2715 ft · 38 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
2666 ft · 38 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
1940 ft · 28 sec
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11
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 4 min
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12
Take the exit slight left toward 17th Street North, Downtown
1.1 mi · 2 min
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13
Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
996 ft · 22 sec · Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto 19th Street North
1439 ft · 34 sec · 19th Street North
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15
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
2431 ft · 51 sec · 5th Avenue North
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16
Turn right onto 24th Street North
14 m · 1 sec · 24th Street North
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 24th Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscle Shoals and Birmingham.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
University of North Alabama Highway
Keep slight right to continue on University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi · 01h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Muscle Shoals and Mostly Sunny near Birmingham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Muscle Shoals to Birmingham?
The road trip is about 113.5 miles (182.6 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?
West Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.5 miles from Muscle Shoals and 57 miles from Birmingham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 98 miles (157.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 2:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.15 one way or $30.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Muscle Shoals and Mostly Sunny near Birmingham.
Stop Ideas Near West Point
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 West Point.
Birmingham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Muscle Shoals and Birmingham. Straight-line distance: 97.98 mi (157.69 km).
#1 Muscle Shoals
City in Alabama, USA
| Population | 14,877 |
| Coordinates | 34.7448100, -87.6675300 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Birmingham
The most populous city in Alabama.
| Population | 206,950 |
| Coordinates | 33.5206600, -86.8024900 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
End: 24th Street North (-86.802565, 33.520626)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 183 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $15.15 | $30.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $17.04 | $34.07 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $18.50 | $37.00 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $21.66 | $43.32 |
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.