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The Civil Rights Trail: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 4-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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4
days
470 km
distance
10.8 h
driving
22
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.8 hours of daylight in April — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Walking weather for the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the King memorials — early March brings the annual Selma jubilee march anniversary.
Day 1 Atlanta
- Transit
- 3h44
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 11.5°C–23.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~16
- Daylight
- 12.8h
09:00
Savor the history and flavors of the world's most famous soft drink brand.
90 min · Atlanta · $16 (adult); $14 (senior); $12 (ages 3-12); under 3 free and admission includes access to all exhibits and a commemorative Coke bottle. Booking online saves $1 …
open: M-Sa 9AM-5PM (9AM-6PM during Summer), Su 11AM-5PM
10:40
Enjoy sports events or arts shows on the Georgia Tech campus.
90 min · Atlanta
12:30
13:20
Flying Biscuit Cafe flyingbiscuit.com map ↗
Indulge in breakfast classics, including kosher and vegetarian options.
60 min · Atlanta
open: Opens at 7AM
Overnight: Montgomery
e.g. Sonesta ES Suites Montgomery · Comfort Suites Montgomery
Day 2 Around Montgomery
- Transit
- 0h58
- Finish
- ~16:15
- Temperature
- 11.5°C–23.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~16
- Daylight
- 12.8h
09:00
10:00
11:00
Reflect at the Civil Rights Memorial, where names of martyrs are inscribed on a granite fountain.
50 min · Montgomery
12:00
13:00
Step into the First White House of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis's early residence.
50 min · Montgomery
14:25
15:15
Scott St. Deli scottstreetdeli.com map ↗
Savor classic sandwiches in a cozy downtown setting.
60 min · Montgomery
Overnight here
e.g. Sonesta ES Suites Montgomery · Comfort Suites Montgomery
Day 3 Selma
- Transit
- 3h00
- Finish
- ~17:20
- Temperature
- 11.4°C–24.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~17
- Daylight
- 12.8h
10:10
11:10
12:10
Discover a restored antebellum home with a hospital history.
50 min · Selma
open: Tu-Sa 9am-4pm
13:10
Sturdivant Hall Museum facebook.com map ↗
Tour an elegant Greek Revival mansion from the antebellum era.
50 min · Selma
open: Tu-Sa 10am-4pm, closed Su-M
14:50
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park cahawba.com map ↗
Explore a rustic, ghost-town-like former state capital.
50 min · Selma
open: Th-M 10am-5pm, closed Tu and W
16:30
Overnight here
e.g. St. James Hotel · Hampton Inn Selma
Day 4 Birmingham
- Transit
- 3h03
- Finish
- ~17:05
- Temperature
- 10.5°C–23.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~17
- Daylight
- 12.8h
11:20
Appreciate diverse global art, from ancient to contemporary.
50 min · Birmingham · Free
open: Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM
12:20
13:20
14:20
16:15
Encounter over 750 animals, from big cats to reptiles.
50 min · Birmingham · General $11, children 2-12 & seniors 65+ free
open: Labor Day-Memorial Day: daily 9AM-5PM; Memorial Day-Labor Day: M W-Th 9AM-5PM, Tu F-Su 9AM-7PM
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.