How far is Vestavia Hills, AL from Muscle Shoals, AL?
The driving distance from Vestavia Hills, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL is about 118.4 miles (190.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 45m 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 22m.
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 Alabama
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 Vestavia Hills and Muscle Shoals.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vestavia Hills and Muscle Shoals.
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1
Start on the route
43 m · 17 sec
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2
Turn left onto Tremont Drive
145 m · 23 sec · Tremont Drive
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3
Turn right
104 m · 27 sec
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Montgomery Highway
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5
Turn straight onto Independence Drive
1 mi · 2 min · Independence Drive
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6
Continue on Red Mountain Expressway
3.4 mi · 5 min · Red Mountain Expressway
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7
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard
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8
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard
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9
Turn right onto 19th Street North
15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North
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10
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
771 ft · 19 sec
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11
Merge slight left
47.6 mi · 52 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
1215 ft · 29 sec
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13
Turn left onto Section Line Road
61 m · 4 sec · Section Line Road
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14
Continue on University of North Alabama Highway
55.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min · University of North Alabama Highway
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15
Merge slight right onto Wheeler Highway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Wheeler Highway
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16
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · Woodward Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Avalon Avenue
15 m · 1 sec · Avalon Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Avalon Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vestavia Hills 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.
University of North Alabama Highway
Continue on University of North Alabama Highway
55.4 mi · 01h 06m
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 Vestavia Hills and Sunny near Muscle Shoals.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vestavia Hills to Muscle Shoals?
The road trip is about 118.4 miles (190.6 km) and usually takes 02h 22m 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?
Pine Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.3 miles from Vestavia Hills and 59.2 miles from Muscle Shoals.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 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 1:44 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 Vestavia Hills and Sunny near Muscle Shoals.
Stop Ideas Near Pine Hill
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 Pine Hill.
Birmingham
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vestavia Hills and Muscle Shoals. Straight-line distance: 102.73 mi (165.32 km).
#1 Vestavia Hills
City in Jefferson and Shelby counties, Alabama, United States
| Population | 34,317 |
| Coordinates | 33.4487200, -86.7877700 |
| Altitude | 290 |
| 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: 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.