How far is Muscle Shoals, AL from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance from Muscle Shoals, AL to Montgomery, AL is about 202.5 miles (325.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m 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 03h 09m.
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 Jefferson County, Alabama, United States
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 Montgomery.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscle Shoals and Montgomery.
-
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
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
3059 ft · 52 sec
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Court Street, Union Street
909 ft · 24 sec
-
16
Continue on Arba Street
2067 ft · 1 min · Arba Street
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17
Turn right onto South Decatur Street
141 m · 12 sec · South Decatur Street
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18
Turn left onto Winnie Street
134 m · 25 sec · Winnie Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Union Street
57 m · 4 sec · South Union Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Union Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscle Shoals and Montgomery.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 22 West
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 Mostly Sunny near Montgomery.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Muscle Shoals to Montgomery?
The road trip is about 202.5 miles (325.9 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Gardendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.2 miles from Muscle Shoals and 101.3 miles from Montgomery.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 10:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.08 one way or $54.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 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 Montgomery.
Stop Ideas Near Gardendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Adamsville City Hall
Trussville City Hall
Mountain Brook Municipal Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gardendale.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Muscle Shoals and Montgomery. Straight-line distance: 182.19 mi (293.21 km).
#1 Muscle Shoals
City in Alabama, USA
| Population | 14,877 |
| Coordinates | 34.7448100, -87.6675300 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Montgomery
The capital of Alabama.
| Population | 196,268 |
| Coordinates | 32.3668100, -86.2999700 |
| Altitude | 73 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Union Street (-86.300031, 32.366809)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 326 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $27.08 | $54.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $30.45 | $60.90 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $33.07 | $66.14 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $38.72 | $77.43 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.