Origin
Attalla, AL
Night in Attalla on Wednesday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Attalla, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
115.2 mi
185 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Attalla, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Connecting Attalla to Tuscaloosa is a straightforward 115.2-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes. Because this is a highly efficient, highway-focused route, it works perfectly as a simple day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $18 on fuel for the one-way transit, making it a very budget-friendly trip across the Southeast. Since the entire drive stays within Alabama, you won't face any significant regional shifts or complex navigation hurdles. It is an ideal path for those prioritizing speed and reliability over scenic detours or multiple stops. If you are looking for a practical way to move between these two cities, this direct interstate connection is your best option.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
57.6 miles from Attalla, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 98% of this trip is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-59, which accounts for a 110.9-mile stretch of the journey. The drive is designed for efficiency, keeping you on high-speed corridors until you reach the final approach into Tuscaloosa via I-359 and 5th Avenue Northwest. Because the route is dominated by this long interstate segment, the rhythm of the drive remains consistent and predictable from start to finish. You won't encounter the stop-and-go patterns of rural backroads, allowing you to maintain a steady pace throughout the duration of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 110.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and I 359. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 8m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest
Turn right onto US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Birmingham
8
112.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
6
115.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
115.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 110.9 mi | 2h 1m |
| I 359 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| 5th Avenue Northwest | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| University Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street Northwest | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 110.9 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Attalla, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on US 11; US 278; US 431
95 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Street Northwest
2
Turn right onto US 278; US 431
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Avenue Northwest
Use the right lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Birmingham
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 59
111 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
I 59
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
8
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the 2-hour and 8-minute drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the Tuscaloosa area is smart, as congestion can fluctuate depending on the day. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled for the 115.2-mile trek, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to build in extra rest time. Make sure your fuel tank is ready for the $18 expenditure before you head out, as staying on I-59 for the longest stretch means you should plan your refueling stops accordingly. Focus on maintaining a steady speed on the interstate to ensure you reach your destination comfortably within the estimated timeframe.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.6 miles from Attalla, AL, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.6 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tuscaloosa, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Attalla, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Attalla, AL
This is one driving day of about 115.2 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Attalla, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 110.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.6 mi from Attalla, AL · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.6 miles from Attalla, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.9 miles.
Arriving in Tuscaloosa, AL
The final approach into Tuscaloosa, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Tuscaloosa, AL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.40 one way
$34.80 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $19.10 | $38.20 |
| premium | $4.56 | $20.68 | $41.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.43 | $50.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.10 | $5.53 |
| Efficient EV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.08 | $4.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.37 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Night in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Birmingham, AL
58 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
31 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Attalla, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 115.2 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, I 359, 5th Avenue Northwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.6 miles from Attalla, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.40 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 8m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Attalla, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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