Origin
Fayette, AL
Morning in Fayette on Saturday
Local time
7:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fayette, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
57m
Distance
40.2 mi
65 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fayette, AL
Mathias Reding
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Fayette to Tuscaloosa, you can expect a straightforward 40.2-mile journey that typically takes about 57 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to handle in under an hour without needing an overnight stop. You will primarily navigate via AL 171, US 43, and Temple Avenue South as you move across the Southeast region. With a fuel budget of just $6, it remains a very affordable route for commuters or casual travelers. Since the entire drive stays within Alabama, you will find it to be a simple, manageable connection between these two cities.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 40.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with about 75% of your time spent on main thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady pace for the longest stretch of the trip, which covers 27.9 miles specifically on AL 171. Because this route lacks scheduled stops, it functions as a direct, efficient path rather than a scenic tour. Expect the character of the road to feel consistent, transitioning from state highway travel into the local streets of Tuscaloosa via US 43 and Temple Avenue South. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who prefer steady movement over frequent interruptions.
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.
AL 171 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 171 and Temple Avenue South. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Temple Avenue South.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fayette, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is easy. At 57m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Temple Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 39.1 miles (5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 39.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Temple Avenue South
Turn left onto Temple Avenue South
Navigation decision point
3
39.1 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
5th Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Navigation decision point
3
39.2 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
40 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn left onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
40.1 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 171 | 27.9 mi | 38m |
| Temple Avenue South | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| US 43 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Main Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| University Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Columbus Street East | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
AL 171
— 27.9 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayette, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on AL 18
39 ft
·
8 sec
·
Columbus Street East
2
Turn left onto Temple Avenue South
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Temple Avenue South
3
Continue on AL 171
28 mi
·
38 min
·
AL 171
4
Turn right onto US 43
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 43
5
Continue on Main Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Avenue
6
Turn left onto 5th Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
5th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
8
Merge onto US 43; AL 69
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
9
Turn left onto University Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
11
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.1 mi from Fayette, AL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.1 miles from Fayette, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tuscaloosa, AL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Tuscaloosa, AL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.07 one way
$12.14 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $6.66 | $13.33 |
| premium | $4.56 | $7.22 | $14.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.88 | $17.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.22 | $1.93 |
| Efficient EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.52 | $1.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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 Saturday
Local time
7:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
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
8 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
57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fayette, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 40.2 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are AL 171, Temple Avenue South, US 43. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.1 miles from Fayette, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.07 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.
The drive from Fayette, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is easy. At 57m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Temple Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 39.1 miles (5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 39.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Fayette, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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