6 Alabama roads named in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Across Alabama, streets, drives and expressways carry the name of Martin Luther King Jr., appearing in cities and towns of all sizes. Some are major highways used by thousands of drivers each day while others are quieter neighborhood roads woven into everyday routines.

Rather than standing alone as landmarks, these roads function as part of daily life. They connect neighborhoods, downtown areas and surrounding communities while quietly carrying a name recognized across the country. Together, they show how Dr. King’s legacy exists not only in history books but in the physical landscape of Alabama.

Here is a look at six Alabama roads named in his honor.

Martin Luther King Jr. Drive — Birmingham

In Birmingham, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard runs through central parts of the city near downtown and long established neighborhoods. The roadway serves as a familiar east to west route for commuters and locals moving through the city.

For many drivers, it is simply part of the regular flow of traffic. Over time, the street has become embedded in Birmingham’s daily rhythm, functioning as a connector between neighborhoods and nearby destinations.

Martin Luther King Drive — Auburn

In Auburn, Martin Luther King Drive is a section of Alabama State Route 14 and is also commonly known as Loachapoka Road. The roadway connects Auburn to nearby rural communities and is frequently traveled by students, residents and commuters.

Because of its interchangeable name, some drivers may not immediately associate the route with Dr. King, though it remains part of the city’s officially designated road system.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard — Bay Minette

In Bay Minette, a portion of County Road 138 is designated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The roadway serves local traffic and connects residents to nearby areas within Baldwin County.

This designation highlights how MLK named roads exist at multiple levels of infrastructure across Alabama, including county maintained routes.

Martin Luther King Street — Selma

In Selma, Martin Luther King Street was renamed from Sylvan Street in 1976. The street runs near several historically significant landmarks, including Brown Chapel, where Dr. King spoke during the Civil Rights Movement.

Today, the street remains part of Selma’s everyday road network. It crosses Jefferson Davis Avenue and sits near a monument honoring Dr. King, reflecting the city’s layered history within a single stretch of roadway.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue — Mobile

In Mobile, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue runs through the city’s northside, stretching from Congress Street in downtown Mobile to the intersections of Craft Highway and Saint Stephens Road. The roadway passes through long established neighborhoods and serves as an important local route for daily travel.

Formerly known as Davis Avenue and Stone Street along different sections, the road was later renamed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.. Today, it remains a key corridor within the city and one of the most recognizable MLK named roads along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

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