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Trip from Centre, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

143 mi

230 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 31m ★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Alabama, United States of America

Centre, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Tuscaloosa, AL, AL

Tuscaloosa, AL

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Centre, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 143 miles and takes about 2h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 59, US 411, I 759 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 110.3 miles on I 59. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.60 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

71.5 miles from Centre, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 2h 41m highway drive covering 143 miles, with most of the trip on I 59 and US 411. The longest continuous stretch is about 110.3 miles on I 59.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 110.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 411. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 24.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143 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 24.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 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 points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
24.7 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the ramp toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga
7
29.2 mi into trip | ~35m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Birmingham
8
139.8 mi into trip | ~2h 36m 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
142.9 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in | University Boulevard

Turn right onto University Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
142.9 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Centre, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Chattanooga and Birmingham.

Chattanooga

24.7 mi in | ~29m

Birmingham

29.2 mi in | ~35m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 59 110.3 mi 2h
US 411 19.9 mi 22m
I 759 4 mi 4m
North Albert Rains Boulevard 2.3 mi 3m
I 359 2.2 mi 2m
West Main Street 1.7 mi 2m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North 0.5 mi 1m
Ewing Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 59 — 110.3 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Centre, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.

1

Start on AL 283

314 ft · 5 sec · Cedar Bluff Road
2

Turn slight left

109 ft · 6 sec
3

Turn left onto AL 283

408 ft · 10 sec · North River Street
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 411 Business

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
5

Continue on US 411; AL 68

20 mi · 22 min · US 411; AL 68
6

Continue on Ewing Avenue

0.4 mi · 27 sec · Ewing Avenue
7

Continue on US 411

2.3 mi · 3 min · North Albert Rains Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on US 411

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Rainbow Drive
9

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward I-759 West: Birmingham, Chattanooga Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on I 759

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 759
Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward Birmingham Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto I 59

110 mi · 2 hr · I 59
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Exit 71B Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

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.
15

Continue on I 359; AL 69

0.4 mi · 33 sec · I 359; AL 69
16

Continue on US 43; AL 69

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
17

Turn right onto University Boulevard

284 ft · 10 sec · University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18

Turn left

168 ft · 12 sec
Use the left lane.
19

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.5 miles from Centre, AL, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.3 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 71.5 miles or 1h 22m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 12m

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 Centre, 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 Centre, AL

This is one driving day of about 143 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Centre, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 110.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 71.5 mi from Centre, AL · 1h 22m into the drive

Downtown Hayden, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hayden, AL

72 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.

Popular next leg

Hayden, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL

85.2 mi · 1h 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Hoover, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hoover, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.5 miles from Centre, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.3 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

National Monument

In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 83.8
View on nps.gov
Freedom Riders National Monument

Freedom Riders National Monument

National Monument

In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free near mile 24.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.60 one way

$43.19 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $23.71 $47.42
premium $4.56 $25.67 $51.33
diesel $5.61 $31.57 $63.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.9 0 $15.01 $6.86
Efficient EV 35.8 0 $12.51 $5.72
EV Truck/SUV 57.2 0 $20.02 $9.15

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Centre, AL

Evening in Centre on Tuesday

Local time

5:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tuscaloosa, AL

Evening in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday

Local time

5:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

86°F

Hayden, AL

72 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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 41m 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 Centre, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 143 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, US 411, I 759. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.5 miles from Centre, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.60 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143 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 24.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Centre, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Chattanooga and Birmingham.

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