Origin
Newton, AL
Evening in Newton on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newton, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
192.3 mi
310 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 13m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 22m
12 PM
4h 19m
3 PM
4h 23m
5 PM
4h 38m
8 PM
4h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Newton to Tuscaloosa covers 192.3 miles across Alabama, taking approximately 4 hours and 12 minutes of drive time. This highway-focused route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making it perfect for those looking to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $29 for fuel to complete the journey. By sticking primarily to US 82, US 231, and South Boulevard, you will navigate through the heart of the Southeast. It is a straightforward transit between the two regions, offering a practical way to cross the state efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
96.2 miles from Newton, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, as roughly 90% of your time will be spent on highways. You will experience a mix of road types, transitioning through local stretches before settling into the rhythm of major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted portion of the drive spans 86.7 miles on US 82, which provides a consistent pace for the bulk of your travels. While the drive is focused on main roads, the character of the journey remains steady and predictable. You can anticipate a reliable, highway-oriented experience that prioritizes steady progress over technical maneuvering.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 82 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US 231. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 94.4 miles in near US 31 / Birmingham Highway.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 12m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 94.4 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.1 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here; at 186.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
94.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
US 31 / Birmingham Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 31 / Birmingham Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
100.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
US 82; AL 14
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
186.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
192.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
192.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 82 | 86.7 mi | 1h 51m |
| US 231 | 74 mi | 1h 31m |
| South Boulevard | 10.1 mi | 15m |
| AL 123 | 7 mi | 12m |
| Birmingham Highway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| South US Highway 231 | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| US 11 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Drive | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 86.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newton, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Callaway Street
244 ft
·
10 sec
·
Callaway Street
2
Turn straight onto AL 123; AL 134
7.0 mi
·
12 min
·
AL 123; AL 134
3
Turn slight left onto US 231; AL 123
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
South US Highway 231
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on US 231; AL 27
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 231; AL 27
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 231
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 231
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 231; AL 10
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on US 231
36 mi
·
42 min
·
US 231
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21
10 mi
·
15 min
·
South Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Birmingham Highway
Use the none lane.
19
Continue on US 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Drive
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
513 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 82; AL 14
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 82; AL 14
87 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
US 82; AL 14
Use the none lane.
22
Take the exit
308 ft
·
10 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Montgomery Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Skyland Boulevard East
Use the left / none lanes.
25
Turn right onto US 11; AL 69
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 11; AL 69
Use the none lane.
26
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
Use the none lane.
27
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes just over four hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits you best. You will likely only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs or grab a snack, keeping your travel time close to the 4-hour and 12-minute estimate. Because the route relies heavily on major roads like US 82 and US 231, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach Tuscaloosa. Make sure to factor the $29 fuel cost into your overall travel budget before you head out. Planning your single stop mid-way through the 86.7-mile stretch on US 82 is the best way to maintain your momentum throughout the day.
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 96.2 miles from Newton, AL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.7 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 27m
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 Newton, 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 Newton, AL
This is one driving day of about 192.3 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Newton, 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 82 for about 86.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.2 mi from Newton, AL · 2h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 96.2 miles from Newton, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.7 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
$29.40 one way
$58.80 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $32.24 | $64.49 |
| premium | $4.61 | $34.90 | $69.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.72 | $85.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.19 | $9.23 |
| Efficient EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.92 | $12.31 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
6:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Columbiana, AL
96 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 12m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Newton, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 192.3 miles and takes about 4h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 82, US 231, South Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.2 miles from Newton, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.40 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 12m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 94.4 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.1 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here; at 186.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Newton, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tuscaloosa, AL
More from Newton, AL
More trips to Tuscaloosa, AL
Explore more options from Newton, AL or browse trips ending in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Newton, AL or Tuscaloosa, AL on MapSof.net.