Road Trip
Planning a Civil Rights Trail Road Trip
A comprehensive guide to driving the Civil Rights Trail—routes, must-see sites, and how to make the most of your journey.
16 min read
History enthusiasts Educators Families Solo travelers
Walk in the Footsteps of the Movement
U.S. Civil Rights Trail
More than 100 landmarks across 15 states tell the story of the American Civil Rights Movement. Churches, courthouses, schools, and museums preserve the history of the struggle for equality.
100+ sites across 15 states
The U.S. Civil Rights Trail connects the churches, courthouses, schools, and sites where ordinary people took extraordinary stands for justice. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Selma to Montgomery marches, from lunch counter sit-ins to Freedom Rides, these places preserve the memory of the movement that transformed America.
📚 Plan Your Journey
Site Guide
Visiting the National Memorial for Peace and Justice
A guide to the nation's first memorial dedicated to victims of lynching—what to expect and how to prepare.
10 min read
Museum Guide
The National Civil Rights Museum: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about visiting the museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
12 min read
📍 Key Destinations
While the trail spans 15 states, these cities in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and beyond contain the most significant concentrations of Civil Rights sites.
Montgomery, Alabama
Where the movement began
8 guides
Selma, Alabama
Bloody Sunday & the march to Montgomery
5 guides
Birmingham, Alabama
Confrontation that changed America
7 guides
Atlanta, Georgia
MLK's birthplace & legacy
9 guides
Memphis, Tennessee
Where the journey ended
6 guides
Little Rock, Arkansas
The battle for school integration
4 guides
Jackson, Mississippi
Heart of the Mississippi movement
5 guides
Greensboro, North Carolina
The sit-in movement begins
4 guides
🗺️ Suggested Itineraries
Alabama Weekend
3-4 days
Montgomery → Selma → Birmingham. The core of the movement in one powerful trip.
Atlanta to Memphis
5-7 days
Atlanta → Birmingham → Memphis. MLK's birthplace to the Lorraine Motel.
The Full Trail
10-14 days
Atlanta → Montgomery → Selma → Birmingham → Memphis → Little Rock → Jackson. The complete journey.
💡 Practical Information
🚗 Getting Around
A car is essential. Major airports in Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, and Montgomery. Consider flying into one city and out of another.
💰 Costs
Many churches and outdoor sites are free. Museums typically $10-20. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is free but timed tickets required.
📅 When to Go
Year-round, though spring and fall offer the best weather. MLK Day (January) and anniversary dates see special programming.
👨👩👧 For Families
Many sites offer age-appropriate programming. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Atlanta's King Center have excellent youth resources.
📚 Before You Go
Watch documentaries like "Eyes on the Prize" or "Selma." Context enriches the experience. Many sites offer audio guides.
🔗 Official Resource
The official U.S. Civil Rights Trail website has complete listings and trip planning tools.