Origin
Fultondale, AL
Late night in Fultondale on Wednesday
Local time
2:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fultondale, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
62.8 mi
101 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 7m
★
6 AM
1h 13m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 17m
12 PM
1h 16m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 24m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fultondale, AL
Tomás Asurmendi
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
This straightforward 62.8-mile drive from Fultondale, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on interstates, with a 93% highway share, so expect a focused, efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $9, which is quite budget-friendly for such a short distance. Given its brevity and the direct interstate routing, this trip is best suited for a single day with no need for an overnight stop. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent driving experience across Alabama.
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
31.4 miles from Fultondale, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip. With 93% of the route on interstates, you'll experience predominantly fast-paced travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 52.8 miles on I-20, so be prepared for a significant period of consistent highway driving. You'll be utilizing I-65 and I-359 in addition to I-20. This road profile suggests a journey where efficiency and speed are key, rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 52.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 31 / Decatur Highway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 62.8 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: at 0.2 miles (US 31 / Decatur Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 31 / Decatur Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 31 / Decatur Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
6
6.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
8
59.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
7
62.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 52.8 mi | 57m |
| I 65 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| I 359 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Decatur Highway | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Whaley Road | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| University Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 52.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fultondale, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Whaley Road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Whaley Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Decatur Highway
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Use the slight right lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
7
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
11
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this short, efficient drive, flexibility is your biggest advantage. Aiming to depart Fultondale in the morning, perhaps before 9 AM, will help you avoid any potential rush hour congestion as you transition onto the interstates. Since the total duration is just over an hour, you won't need extensive stops, but a quick fuel or restroom break is always wise. Pay attention to the transition onto I-359 as you approach Tuscaloosa, as this is where the highway focus shifts. The $9 fuel cost is minimal, so you likely won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops along the way.
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 31.4 miles from Fultondale, AL, or about 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.8 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 62.8 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.4 miles or 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 1m
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 Fultondale, 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 Fultondale, AL
This is one driving day of about 62.8 miles and 1h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fultondale, 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 52.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.4 mi from Fultondale, AL · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 62.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.4 miles from Fultondale, 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
$9.48 one way
$18.97 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $10.41 | $20.82 |
| premium | $4.56 | $11.27 | $22.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.87 | $27.73 |
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: 22 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
| Efficient EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Late night in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
2:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Cordova, AL
31 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
1h 12m 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 Fultondale, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 62.8 miles and takes about 1h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 65, I 359. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.4 miles from Fultondale, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.48 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 62.8 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: at 0.2 miles (US 31 / Decatur Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fultondale, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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