Origin
Birmingham, AL
Evening in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Birmingham, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
58.1 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Kelly
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, you will find this 58.1-mile journey to be a straightforward affair. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 6 minutes on the road, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, this route is highly efficient for those looking to travel between these two Southeastern cities. Because the drive is short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. You can easily complete the round trip in one day, giving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Whether you are heading out for business or a casual visit, this highway-focused transit keeps things simple and predictable.
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
29 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is dominated by high-speed interstate travel, with 95% of the journey taking place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 52.9 miles—cruising along I-20, which provides a consistent and efficient path for the bulk of the trip. The transition into Tuscaloosa utilizes I-359 and 6th Avenue North to navigate you into the heart of the city. While the route lacks the winding character of rural backroads, the highway-focused profile ensures a steady pace from start to finish. Expect a functional, no-frills experience behind the wheel where the road conditions remain uniform for nearly the entire hour-long duration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 52.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 359. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 6th Avenue North.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (6th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
6th Avenue North
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
8
54.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m 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
58 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
58 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 52.9 mi | 57m |
| I 359 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| 6th Avenue North | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 65 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 24th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| University Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 52.9 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on 24th Street North
523 ft
·
19 sec
·
24th Street North
2
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Avenue North
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 65 North
4
Merge onto I 65
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 65
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, direct drive, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for mid-trip stops, as the 58.1-mile distance is easily manageable in one sitting. Keep in mind that because the route is almost entirely highway-based, traffic flow on I-20 will be the primary factor in your travel time. It is a good idea to check local traffic reports before you leave Birmingham to ensure a smooth transition onto I-359. Use the money you save on fuel to enjoy a meal once you reach your destination, as your $9 gas budget leaves plenty of room for other expenses.
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 29 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.9 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 58.1 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 55m
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 Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL
This is one driving day of about 58.1 miles and 1h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Birmingham, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 52.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29 mi from Birmingham, AL · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 58.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29 miles from Birmingham, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.88 one way
$17.76 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $9.74 | $19.48 |
| premium | $4.61 | $10.54 | $21.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.91 | $25.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.10 | $2.79 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.08 | $2.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.13 | $3.72 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Evening in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Cordova, AL
29 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 6m 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 Birmingham, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 58.1 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 359, 6th Avenue North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29 miles from Birmingham, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.88 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (6th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Birmingham, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tuscaloosa, AL
More trips to Tuscaloosa, AL
Explore more options from Birmingham, AL or browse trips ending in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Birmingham, AL or Tuscaloosa, AL on MapSof.net.