This 210-mile Road Trip Is One of the South's Most Meaningful Drives -- Passing Through Small Towns and Historic Landmarks

A 210-mile road trip across Alabama follows the Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail, linking more than 50 natural and cultural sites across 13 counties. The route cuts through the Black Belt—named for its dark, fertile soil—moving from land once used for open grasslands and Native American settlements to the cotton boom after “Alabama Fever” in 1817, and later the region’s role in the modern Civil Rights Movement. Phenix City offers outdoor stops like RushSouth Whitewater Park and a Bartram Trail hike. In Montgomery, travelers are urged to spend at least a full day at the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.