Origin
Lanett, AL
Afternoon in Lanett on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lanett, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
183.9 mi
296 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lanett, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
The drive from Lanett, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 183.9 miles and takes about 3h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 280, I 20, I 85 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.8 miles on US 280. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.77 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92 miles from Lanett, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 41m highway drive covering 183.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 280 and I 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.8 miles on US 280.
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.
US 280 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 29 / South Gilmer Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 183.9 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 0.3 miles (US 29 / South Gilmer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (US 280): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 29 / South Gilmer Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 29 / South Gilmer Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
22.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 280
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280 toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
8
145.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
8
180.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m 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
183.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lanett, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Birmingham
21.9 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 280
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 99.8 mi | 2h 4m |
| I 20 | 33.7 mi | 36m |
| I 85 | 19.9 mi | 21m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 19.2 mi | 20m |
| Birmingham Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| I 359 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Gateway Drive | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South Gilmer Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 99.8 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lanett, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on North Lanier Avenue
112 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Lanier Avenue
2
Continue on North Lanier Avenue
390 ft
·
22 sec
·
North Lanier Avenue
3
Turn left onto 2nd Street South
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
2nd Street South
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 29
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Gilmer Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 29
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
Broad Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I-85 South: Montgomery
7
Merge onto I 85
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
285 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto US 280
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Gateway Drive
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 280
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Birmingham Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 280
99 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
US 280
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 459 South
14
Merge onto I 459
19 mi
·
20 min
·
John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 11; AL 5
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 20; I 59; US 11; AL 5
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
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 92 miles from Lanett, AL, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.8 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 40 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92 miles or 1h 53m 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 4m
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 Lanett, 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 Lanett, AL
This is one driving day of about 183.9 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Lanett, 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 280 for about 99.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92 mi from Lanett, AL · 1h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 92 miles from Lanett, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 280 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.8 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.77 one way
$55.55 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $30.49 | $60.98 |
| premium | $4.56 | $33.01 | $66.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.60 | $81.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.31 | $8.83 |
| Efficient EV | 46 | 0 | $16.09 | $7.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.75 | $11.77 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Afternoon in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Columbiana, AL
92 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
3h 41m 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 Lanett, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 183.9 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 280, I 20, I 85. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92 miles from Lanett, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.77 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 183.9 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 0.3 miles (US 29 / South Gilmer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (US 280): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lanett, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
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