How far is Muscle Shoals, AL from Dothan, AL?
The driving distance from Muscle Shoals, AL to Dothan, AL is about 309.1 miles (497.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 276.8 miles (445.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Marshall County, Alabama, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Muscle Shoals and Dothan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscle Shoals and Dothan.
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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
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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
93.2 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I-85 North: Atlanta
120 m · 10 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Atlanta
1040 ft · 25 sec
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14
Continue straight
2.7 mi · 4 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Ann Street
1275 ft · 35 sec
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16
Turn right onto Ann Street
133 m · 9 sec · Ann Street
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
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18
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road
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19
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road
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20
Continue on Troy Highway
34.7 mi · 41 min · Troy Highway
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21
Continue straight
7.7 mi · 10 min
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22
Continue straight
546 ft · 9 sec
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23
Continue straight
2 mi · 4 min
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24
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 11 min
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25
Continue straight
38.4 mi · 47 min
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26
Continue straight
6.2 mi · 11 min
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27
Turn left onto West Powell Street
703 ft · 23 sec · West Powell Street
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28
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
2494 ft · 1 min · North Saint Andrews Street
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29
Turn left onto East Main Street
34 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscle Shoals and Dothan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Montgomery
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 01h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Muscle Shoals and Partly Sunny near Dothan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Muscle Shoals to Dothan?
The road trip is about 309.1 miles (497.4 km) and usually takes 05h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Union Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.5 miles from Muscle Shoals and 156.6 miles from Dothan.
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 32.3 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.32 one way or $82.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97 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 Partly Sunny near Dothan.
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 Muscle Shoals and Dothan. Straight-line distance: 276.78 mi (445.43 km).
#1 Muscle Shoals
City in Alabama, USA
| Population | 14,877 |
| Coordinates | 34.7448100, -87.6675300 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dothan
The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.
| Population | 69,414 |
| Coordinates | 31.2232300, -85.3904900 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Main Street (-85.390469, 31.223396)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 497 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $41.32 | $82.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $46.47 | $92.93 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $50.46 | $100.92 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $59.08 | $118.16 |
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.