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The Civil Rights Trail: Route Guide

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Edmund Pettus bridge Selma — The Civil Rights Trail
Photo: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The American pilgrimage: King's Ebenezer pulpit in Atlanta, Montgomery's Legacy Museum and lynching memorial that say what must be said, the Edmund Pettus Bridge at Selma where marchers were beaten toward a ballot, and Birmingham's church where four girls died. Heavy, essential, magnificently told, with soul food between stations doing its quiet mending.

The Civil Rights Trail is a 470 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 3–5 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for April, built from 467 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–5
days
470km
distance
4
Stops
467
curated stops

Plan your own version → 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Atlanta→ 260 kmMontgomery→ 70 kmSelma→ 140 kmBirmingham

What you'll see

The World of Coca-Cola
Savor the history and flavors of the world's most famous soft drink brand.
Atlanta
Alabama State Capitol
Visit the Alabama State Capitol, a National Historic Landmark and former Confederate Capitol.
Montgomery
Edmund Pettus Bridge
Stand on a historic bridge pivotal to civil rights history.
Selma
Birmingham Museum of Art
Appreciate diverse global art, from ancient to contemporary.
Birmingham
State Farm Arena
Cheer for the Atlanta Hawks or enjoy a spectacular concert in this modern sports and entertainment complex.
Atlanta
Museum of Alabama
Discover the rich history of Alabama through engaging exhibits.
Montgomery
National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
Learn about the civil rights movement at the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute.
Selma
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Discover the state's rich athletic past through extensive memorabilia.
Birmingham

Choose your length

3-day plan15 stops · 9.8 h transit5 stops/day · 3.3 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan22 stops · 10.8 h transit5.5 stops/day · 2.7 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan28 stops · 13.5 h transit5.6 stops/day · 2.7 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: March, April, May

Walking weather for the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the King memorials — early March brings the annual Selma jubilee march anniversary.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →