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

The driving distance from Muscle Shoals, AL to Madison, AL is about 59.9 miles (96.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m 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
59.88 mi
01h 07m
Flight
52.29 mi
84.16 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Muscle Shoals.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
52.29 mi
Kilometers
84.16 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.88 mi
Kilometers
96.36 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Sat, Apr 18, 8:29 AM CDT
Return by in Muscle Shoals
Sat, Apr 18, 9:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Muscle Shoals
2026-04-18T07:21
Arrive Madison
Sat, Apr 18, 8:29 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Muscle Shoals
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
Hillsboro
AL

Town in Alabama, United States

From Muscle Shoals
29.9 mi
00h 33m
To Madison
30 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
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
Destination
86°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Avalon Avenue

    15 m · 9 sec · Avalon Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Woodward Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Woodward Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    1 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Wheeler Highway

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Wheeler Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Wheeler Highway

    8.4 mi · 10 min · Wheeler Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Joe Wheeler Highway

    20.2 mi · 25 min · Joe Wheeler Highway

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    8.6 mi · 13 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 6th Avenue Northeast

    1.8 mi · 3 min · 6th Avenue Northeast

  9. 9

    Continue on Huntsville-Decatur Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · Huntsville-Decatur Highway

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    8.8 mi · 10 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway

    1397 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Madison

    142 m · 9 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway

    1393 ft · 28 sec · Wall Triana Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Sullivan Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Sullivan Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1393 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Church Street

    1544 ft · 42 sec · Church Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Church Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Joe Wheeler Highway
28.8 mi · 48%
Wheeler Highway
12.7 mi · 21%
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
11.9 mi · 20%
Woodward Avenue
2.31 mi · 4%
6th Avenue Northeast
1.83 mi · 3%
Sullivan Street
1.12 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Joe Wheeler Highway

Continue on Joe Wheeler Highway

20.2 mi · 00h 25m

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 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.6 mi
52.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hillsboro
00h 33m from Muscle Shoals
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Muscle Shoals and Partly Sunny near Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Muscle Shoals to Madison?

The road trip is about 59.9 miles (96.4 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?

Hillsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.9 miles from Muscle Shoals and 30 miles from Madison.

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

The direct path is about 52.3 miles (84.2 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 4:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.99 one way or $15.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.8 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 Madison.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Muscle Shoals and Madison. Straight-line distance: 52.29 mi (84.16 km).

Muscle Shoals

#1 Muscle Shoals

City in Alabama, USA

Population14,877
Coordinates34.7448100, -87.6675300
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

The most populous city in Madison County, Alabama.

Population52,654
Coordinates34.6992600, -86.7483300
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: West Avalon Avenue (-87.667529, 34.744826)
End: Church Street (-86.748391, 34.699261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 96 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.11 gal
8 L · about $7.99
Round trip
$15.98
4.22 gal · 16 L
Estimated CO2
18.8 kg one way
Round trip: 37.5 kg / 83 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $7.99 $15.98
Mid-grade $4.26 $8.99 $17.97
Premium $4.63 $9.76 $19.52
Diesel $5.42 $11.43 $22.85

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 Muscle Shoals and Madison. The current time is 07:21:25.

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.