Origin
Hamilton, AL
Evening in Hamilton on Sunday
Local time
6:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hamilton, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
81.8 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hamilton, AL
muaz semih güven
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hamilton to Tuscaloosa covers a direct 81.8-mile path through the Southeast, typically taking about 1 hour and 49 minutes to complete. Because the duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a simple one-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the journey, making it a very cost-effective commute between these two Alabama locations. The drive relies heavily on US 43, AL 13, and I-22 to move you efficiently between points. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this straightforward itinerary offers a reliable transit option for your schedule.
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
40.9 miles from Hamilton, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of your time spent on high-speed roads that prioritize efficiency over winding backroads. You will experience a mix of terrain, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring over 28.6 miles on US 43. The transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving steadily, shifting from the regional flow of AL 13 to the faster pace of the interstate system. Behind the wheel, you should expect a consistent road experience that favors steady speeds and clear navigation. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that gets you to your destination with minimal technical complexity.
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.
US 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and AL 13. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.8 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 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.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South
Turn right onto US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
5.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I-22 East: Jasper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-22 East: Jasper
6
27.5 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 39
Toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
6
27.8 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
AL 13
Turn right onto AL 13
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Hamilton, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Eldridge along the way.
Eldridge
27.5 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 43 | 28.6 mi | 39m |
| AL 13 | 22.7 mi | 31m |
| I 22 | 22.1 mi | 23m |
| Military Street South | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 28.6 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on AL 74
21 ft
·
4 sec
·
Bexar Avenue West
2
Turn right onto US 43; US 278; AL 17
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Military Street South
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-22 East: Jasper
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 22; US 78
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 22; US 78
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 39
Toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
6
Turn right onto AL 13
23 mi
·
31 min
·
AL 13
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 43
29 mi
·
39 min
·
US 43
8
Continue on Main Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Avenue
9
Turn left onto 5th Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
5th Street
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
11
Merge onto US 43; AL 69
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
12
Turn left onto University Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning long rest stops, as the 81.8-mile distance is short enough to complete in a single, comfortable stint. Because the route is dominated by highways, keep a close eye on your speed when transitioning between the secondary roads and I-22. If you want to optimize your travel, aim to head out during off-peak hours to ensure the smoothest transit possible. Taking advantage of the $13 fuel estimate is easy, so just ensure your tank is ready before you leave Hamilton to avoid unnecessary 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 40.9 miles from Hamilton, AL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.6 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.9 miles or 51m 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 30m
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 Hamilton, 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 Hamilton, AL
This is one driving day of about 81.8 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hamilton, 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 US 43 for about 28.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.9 mi from Hamilton, AL · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 40.9 miles from Hamilton, 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
$12.51 one way
$25.01 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $13.72 | $27.43 |
| premium | $4.61 | $14.85 | $29.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.17 | $36.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.59 | $3.93 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.16 | $3.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.45 | $5.24 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Evening in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
6:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Cordova, AL
41 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
2 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 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 Hamilton, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 43, AL 13, I 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.9 miles from Hamilton, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.51 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.8 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (US 43; US 278; AL 17 / Military Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Hamilton, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Eldridge along the way.
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