Origin
Hayden, AL
Evening in Hayden on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hayden, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
85.2 mi
137 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 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hayden, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 85.2 miles, the drive from Hayden to Tuscaloosa is a straightforward, single-day trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 39 minutes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, specifically I-65, AL-160, and I-20, making this an efficient transit through the heart of Alabama. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should cover your needs for this Southeast trek. Since the entire route is well within a comfortable daily driving window, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Whether you are headed to Tuscaloosa for business or leisure, the route offers a reliable, no-nonsense path between these two Alabama communities.
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
42.6 miles from Hayden, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 96% of this trip is dedicated to highway travel. You will spend your time navigating a mix of state and interstate roads, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 52.8 miles along I-20. This is a highway-focused drive, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding scenic detours. You can anticipate a consistent pace behind the wheel, as the infrastructure is designed for steady movement rather than frequent stops. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that gets you from Hayden to your destination in Tuscaloosa with minimal complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
642 ft
190 ft
Total Climb
635 ft
Total Descent
973 ft
Highest Point
642 ft
~56.8 mi in
Elevation Range
452 ft
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 5.2 miles in near US 31.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 85.2 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 5.2 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 23.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
5.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 31
Enter roundabout onto US 31
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
23.7 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
24.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
24.8 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
8
82.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Hayden, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Fultondale
23.7 mi in
|
~29m
Montgomery
24.8 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 52.8 mi | 57m |
| I 65 | 21.9 mi | 24m |
| AL 160 | 5 mi | 8m |
| I 359 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| US 31 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street | 0.1 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 Hayden, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on 4th Avenue
36 ft
·
2 sec
·
4th Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 7
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
3rd Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto AL 160
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
AL 160
4
Enter roundabout onto US 31
199 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 31
5
Continue on US 31
254 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 31
6
Enter roundabout onto US 31
223 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 31
7
Continue on US 31
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
US 31
8
Enter roundabout
250 ft
·
4 sec
9
Continue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
10
Merge onto I 65
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
20
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip under two hours, you have significant flexibility in your departure time. However, be aware that since the drive relies heavily on major interstates like I-20 and I-65, traffic patterns near urban hubs can fluctuate, so checking conditions before you leave is a smart move. With no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the 85.2-mile journey in one go without needing a formal rest break. Ensure your fuel levels are sufficient before hitting the highway, as a $13 allocation is a helpful baseline for your budget. Keep a steady eye on the transition between AL-160 and the interstate system to ensure a smooth merge onto the faster-paced sections of your route.
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 42.6 miles from Hayden, AL, or about 51m 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.6 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 24m
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 Hayden, 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 Hayden, AL
This is one driving day of about 85.2 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hayden, 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 42.6 mi from Hayden, AL · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 42.6 miles from Hayden, 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
$13.02 one way
$26.05 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.29 | $28.57 |
| premium | $4.61 | $15.46 | $30.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.93 | $37.86 |
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: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.95 | $4.09 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.93 | $5.45 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Evening in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
84°F
Hoover, AL
43 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 39m 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 Hayden, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 85.2 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 65, AL 160. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.6 miles from Hayden, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.02 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 18 significant decision points across 85.2 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 5.2 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 23.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hayden, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 190 ft to 642 ft elevation with about 635 ft of total climbing.
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