How far is Opelika, AL from Muscle Shoals, AL?
The driving distance from Opelika, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL is about 224.3 miles (360.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 10m 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 04h 35m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Alabama.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Opelika and Muscle Shoals.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opelika and Muscle Shoals.
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1
Start on South 9th Street
25 m · 9 sec · South 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto Avenue B
142 m · 24 sec · Avenue B
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3
Turn right onto South 10th Street
1793 ft · 51 sec · South 10th Street
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4
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue
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5
Continue on Pepperell Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Pepperell Parkway
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6
Take the ramp slight right
125 m · 11 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Birmingham Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Birmingham Highway
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8
Continue straight
103.8 mi · 2 hr 10 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
1901 ft · 30 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway
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11
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard
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12
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto 19th Street North
15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North
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14
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
771 ft · 19 sec
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15
Merge slight left
47.6 mi · 52 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
1215 ft · 29 sec
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17
Turn left onto Section Line Road
61 m · 4 sec · Section Line Road
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18
Continue on University of North Alabama Highway
55.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min · University of North Alabama Highway
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19
Merge slight right onto Wheeler Highway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Wheeler Highway
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20
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · Woodward Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto Avalon Avenue
15 m · 1 sec · Avalon Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Avalon Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Opelika and Muscle Shoals.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Birmingham Highway
Continue straight
104 mi · 02h 10m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Opelika and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Muscle Shoals.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Opelika to Muscle Shoals?
The road trip is about 224.3 miles (360.9 km) and usually takes 04h 35m 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?
Birmingham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.2 miles from Opelika and 112.1 miles from Muscle Shoals.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 7:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.96 one way or $59.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Opelika and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Muscle Shoals.
Stop Ideas Near Birmingham
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 Birmingham.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Opelika and Muscle Shoals. Straight-line distance: 195.84 mi (315.18 km).
#1 Opelika
City in Alabama
| Population | 31,135 |
| Coordinates | 32.6454100, -85.3782800 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Muscle Shoals
City in Alabama, USA
| Population | 14,877 |
| Coordinates | 34.7448100, -87.6675300 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: Muscle Shoals (-87.66753, 34.74481)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.96 | $59.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $33.69 | $67.38 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $36.58 | $73.17 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $42.83 | $85.67 |
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.