How far is Muscle Shoals, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance from Muscle Shoals, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 118.5 miles (190.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106.2 miles (170.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m 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 02h 20m.
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.
Town in Winston County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Muscle Shoals and Tuscaloosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscle Shoals and Tuscaloosa.
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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
Continue straight
50.8 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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5
Take the ramp right
2350 ft · 46 sec
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6
Turn left
32.8 mi · 46 min
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7
Continue straight
28.6 mi · 39 min
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8
Continue on Main Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Avenue
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9
Turn left onto 5th Street
111 m · 12 sec · 5th Street
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10
Take the ramp slight right
985 ft · 27 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
3139 ft · 56 sec · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
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12
Turn left onto University Boulevard
717 ft · 19 sec · University Boulevard
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13
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscle Shoals and Tuscaloosa.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Woodward Avenue
Continue straight
50.8 mi · 01h 08m
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.
Sunny leaving Muscle Shoals and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Muscle Shoals to Tuscaloosa?
The road trip is about 118.5 miles (190.7 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?
Lynn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.9 miles from Muscle Shoals and 59.6 miles from Tuscaloosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106.2 miles (170.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.83 one way or $31.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Muscle Shoals and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Stop Ideas Near Lynn
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 Lynn.
Birmingham
Tuscaloosa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Muscle Shoals and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 106.2 mi (170.92 km).
#1 Muscle Shoals
City in Alabama, USA
| Population | 14,877 |
| Coordinates | 34.7448100, -87.6675300 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tuscaloosa
The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
| Population | 102,819 |
| Coordinates | 33.2098400, -87.5691700 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 191 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $15.83 | $31.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $17.80 | $35.61 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $19.33 | $38.67 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $22.63 | $45.27 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.