Origin
Madison, AL
Morning in Madison on Saturday
Local time
10:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madison, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
59.7 mi
96 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Muscle Shoals, AL
Tolga Ahmetler
Trip Overview
The drive from Madison, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL covers 59.7 miles and takes about 1h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 72 Alternate, I 565, Huntsville-Decatur Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.6 miles on US 72 Alternate. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.13 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 59.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 17m highway drive covering 59.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 72 Alternate and I 565. The longest continuous stretch is about 41.6 miles on US 72 Alternate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 72 Alternate is the longest continuous segment at about 41.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
705 ft
502 ft
Total Climb
103 ft
Total Descent
307 ft
Highest Point
705 ft
Elevation Range
203 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 Alternate and I 565. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Sullivan Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 17m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Sullivan Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.9 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Sullivan Street
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward 565: Decatur
Navigation decision point
Toward 565: Decatur
6
15.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17 / Woodward Avenue
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17 / Woodward Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
59.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
Avalon Avenue
Turn right onto Avalon Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 72 Alternate | 41.6 mi | 52m |
| I 565 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| Huntsville-Decatur Highway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Woodward Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Bee Line Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Sullivan Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 72 Alternate
— 41.6 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, AL and Muscle Shoals, AL.
1
Start on Church Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Church Street
2
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
3
Continue on Main Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn sharp left onto Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sullivan Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on Wall Triana Highway
454 ft
·
11 sec
·
Wall Triana Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward 565: Decatur
7
Merge onto I 565; US 72 Alt
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 565; US 72 Alt
8
Continue on US 72 Alternate; SR 20
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
US 72 Alternate; SR 20
9
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Bee Line Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
41 mi
·
52 min
·
US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Woodward Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto Avalon Avenue
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
Avalon Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
Avalon Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.8 mi from Madison, AL · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.8 miles from Madison, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Muscle Shoals, AL
The final approach into Muscle Shoals, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Muscle Shoals, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.13 one way
$18.25 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $10.01 | $20.02 |
| premium | $4.61 | $10.84 | $21.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.26 | $26.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.27 | $2.87 |
| Efficient EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.22 | $2.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.36 | $3.82 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Muscle Shoals, AL
Morning in Muscle Shoals on Saturday
Local time
10:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Madison, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL covers 59.7 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 72 Alternate, I 565, Huntsville-Decatur Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.8 miles from Madison, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.13 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 17m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Sullivan Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.9 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Madison, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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