Origin
Clio, AL
Morning in Clio on Wednesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clio, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
174.3 mi
280 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clio, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
The drive from Clio, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 174.3 miles and takes about 3h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 82, US 231, Brundidge Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.7 miles on US 82. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.32 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
87.1 miles from Clio, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 49m highway drive covering 174.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 82 and US 231. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.7 miles on US 82.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 82 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US 231. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 13.7 miles in near US 231.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 49m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles (US 231): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.3 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
13.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 231
Turn right onto US 231 toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
5
76.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
US 31 / Birmingham Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 31 / Birmingham Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
82 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
US 82; AL 14
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
174.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
174.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 82 | 86.7 mi | 1h 51m |
| US 231 | 52.5 mi | 1h 5m |
| Brundidge Street | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| South Boulevard | 10.1 mi | 15m |
| Birmingham Highway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US 11 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Drive | 2 mi | 2m |
| Old Montgomery Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 86.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clio, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on AL 51
12 ft
·
6 sec
·
Elamville Street
2
Turn left onto AL 10
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Brundidge Street
3
Continue on AL 10
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
South A Graham Boulevard
4
Continue on AL 10
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
South A. Graham Boulevard
5
Turn right onto US 231
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 231
Toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
6
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
7
Continue on US 231; AL 10
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
13
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 231; AL 10
15
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231
16
Continue on US 231
36 mi
·
42 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21
10 mi
·
15 min
·
South Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Birmingham Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Drive
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
513 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 82; AL 14
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 82; AL 14
87 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
US 82; AL 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
308 ft
·
10 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Montgomery Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Skyland Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto US 11; AL 69
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
27
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.1 miles from Clio, AL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.7 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.1 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
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 Clio, 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 Clio, AL
This is one driving day of about 174.3 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clio, 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 US 82 for about 86.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.1 mi from Clio, AL · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.1 miles from Clio, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.7 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.32 one way
$52.65 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $28.90 | $57.79 |
| premium | $4.56 | $31.28 | $62.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.48 | $76.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.30 | $8.37 |
| Efficient EV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.25 | $6.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.40 | $11.16 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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
Morning in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Columbiana, AL
87 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 49m 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 Clio, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 174.3 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 82, US 231, Brundidge Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.1 miles from Clio, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 49m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles (US 231): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.3 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clio, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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