Origin
Dauphin Island, AL
Afternoon in Dauphin Island on Monday
Local time
12:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dauphin Island, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
233.6 mi
376 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 32m
★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
The drive from Dauphin Island, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 233.6 miles and takes about 4h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 43, I 20, I 65 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 148.8 miles on US 43. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
116.8 miles from Dauphin Island, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 4h 45m highway drive covering 233.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 43 and I 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 148.8 miles on US 43.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 148.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cadillac Avenue.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 233.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Cadillac Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 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
|
Cadillac Avenue
Turn right onto Cadillac Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
8
230.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m 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
233.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
233.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Dauphin Island, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward 430: Satsuma, Creola and 430: Creola.
430: Satsuma
47.8 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Creola
47.8 mi in
|
~1h 1m
430: Creola
47.9 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 43 | 148.8 mi | 2h 57m |
| I 20 | 25.8 mi | 27m |
| I 65 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| Dauphin Island Parkway | 13.7 mi | 18m |
| Rangeline Road | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| Tuscaloosa Street | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Gordon Persons Bridge | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| I 359 | 2.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 148.8 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dauphin Island, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on this road
8 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
40 ft
·
5 sec
3
Turn right onto Cadillac Avenue
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Cadillac Avenue
4
Turn right onto Le Moyne Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Le Moyne Drive
5
Continue on AL 193
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Gordon Persons Bridge
6
Continue on AL 193
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Dauphin Island Parkway
7
Turn left onto AL 193
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Laurendine Road
8
Turn right onto AL 193
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Range Line Road
9
Continue on AL 193
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Rangeline Road
10
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Mobile
11
Merge onto I 10
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
I 10
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 65 North: Montgomery
13
Continue on I 65
19 mi
·
21 min
·
I 65
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward 430: Creola
16
Keep slight left at fork
124 ft
·
3 sec
Toward 430: Creola
17
Merge onto US 43
82 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US 43
18
Merge onto US 43
24 mi
·
27 min
·
US 43
19
Turn left onto US 43
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 43
20
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 43; US 80
21
Continue on US 43
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cedar Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
East Capitol Street
23
Turn right onto US 43
24 mi
·
34 min
·
US 43
24
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
1st Avenue
25
Turn right onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Tuscaloosa Street
26
Turn left onto CR 208
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
M L King Highway
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
28
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi
·
27 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
32
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
35
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 116.8 miles from Dauphin Island, AL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.8 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.8 miles or 2h 21m 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 52m
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 Dauphin Island, 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 Dauphin Island, AL
This is one driving day of about 233.6 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dauphin Island, 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 43 for about 148.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116.8 mi from Dauphin Island, AL · 2h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 116.8 miles from Dauphin Island, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 148.8 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
$35.71 one way
$71.42 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $39.17 | $78.34 |
| premium | $4.61 | $42.40 | $84.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.90 | $103.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.1 | 0 | $24.53 | $11.21 |
| Efficient EV | 58.4 | 0 | $20.44 | $9.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.4 | 1 | $32.70 | $14.95 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Afternoon in Tuscaloosa on Monday
Local time
12:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Butler, AL
117 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
12 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
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dauphin Island, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 233.6 miles and takes about 4h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 43, I 20, I 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.8 miles from Dauphin Island, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.71 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 233.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Cadillac Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dauphin Island, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward 430: Satsuma, Creola and 430: Creola.
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