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Trip from Minor, 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

1h 6m

Distance

55.6 mi

89 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
1h 1m ★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Minor, AL, AL

Minor, AL

Google DeepMind

Downtown Tuscaloosa, AL, AL

Tuscaloosa, AL

Kelly

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick trip from Minor to Tuscaloosa, you will cover 55.6 miles of Alabama landscape in about one hour and six minutes. This straightforward drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, making it an easy choice if you need to reach your destination without the hassle of an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $9 on fuel for the journey, which keeps the trip budget-friendly. By utilizing I-20 and I-359, you stay within the Southeast region for the duration of your travel. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that connects two familiar Alabama points efficiently. Whether you are heading out for business or a brief visit, this drive provides a reliable connection between these two locations.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 55.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 90% of this 55.6-mile trek takes place on major roads like I-20 and I-359. The route is dominated by a long, uninterrupted 47.6-mile stretch on I-20, allowing for consistent speeds once you merge onto the interstate. While you will navigate Birmingport Road to transition onto the highway system, the overall character of the trip is defined by efficient, high-speed travel. The drive feels purposeful and direct rather than winding or scenic. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel focused on the interstate flow as you transition from the Minor area toward Tuscaloosa.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 47.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Birmingport Road. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.6 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 4.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
4.7 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the ramp toward I 20 West, I 59 South

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 20 West, I 59 South
5
4.9 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 20; I 59

Merge onto I 20; I 59

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
52.4 mi into trip | ~1h 1m 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
6
55.5 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | University Boulevard

Turn right onto University Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
55.6 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 47.6 mi 51m
Birmingport Road 2.7 mi 4m
I 359 2.2 mi 2m
Avenue E 1.1 mi 2m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North 0.5 mi 1m
McDonald Chapel Road 0.5 mi 1m
20th Street Ensley 0.2 mi <1m
Lloyd Noland Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 47.6 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minor, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.

1

Start on Central Avenue

128 ft · 8 sec · Central Avenue
2

Turn right onto McDonald Chapel Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · McDonald Chapel Road
3

Turn left onto AL 269

2.7 mi · 4 min · Birmingport Road
4

Continue on AL 269

0.2 mi · 24 sec · 20th Street Ensley
5

Turn right onto Avenue E

1.1 mi · 2 min · Avenue E
6

Continue on Lloyd Noland Parkway

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Lloyd Noland Parkway
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South
8

Merge onto I 20; I 59

48 mi · 51 min · I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Exit 71B Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

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.
11

Continue on I 359; AL 69

0.4 mi · 33 sec · I 359; AL 69
12

Continue on US 43; AL 69

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
13

Turn right onto University Boulevard

284 ft · 10 sec · University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left

168 ft · 12 sec
Use the left lane.
15

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 27.8 mi from Minor, AL · 34m into the drive

Downtown Woodstock, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Woodstock, AL

28 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

Bessemer, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake View, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from Minor, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.40 one way

$16.79 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $9.22 $18.44
premium $4.56 $9.98 $19.96
diesel $5.61 $12.28 $24.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 16.7 0 $5.84 $2.67
Efficient EV 13.9 0 $4.87 $2.22
EV Truck/SUV 22.2 0 $7.78 $3.56

Gas CO2

19 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (63% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Minor, AL

Evening in Minor on Friday

Local time

8:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tuscaloosa, AL

Evening in Tuscaloosa on Friday

Local time

8:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

78°F

Woodstock, AL

28 mi in

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 6m 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 Minor, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 55.6 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 20, Birmingport Road, 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 27.8 miles from Minor, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.40 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 55.6 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 4.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Minor, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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