Origin
Samson, AL
Evening in Samson on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Samson, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
202.8 mi
326 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 28m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Samson, AL
mori dad
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Samson to Tuscaloosa covers 202.8 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes of drive time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget about $28 for fuel to complete the journey. It is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate through the Southeast region of Alabama, moving from the southern tip toward the central part of the state. Expect a slower, more deliberate pace compared to interstate travel, as the route relies on local roads rather than major expressways. It is a straightforward trip if you prefer avoiding heavy highway congestion.
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
101.4 miles from Samson, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a unique experience behind the wheel, as this route features zero percent highway driving. Instead, you will navigate via North Johnson Street, East Davis Street, and Neal Grantham Drive. The road’s personality is defined by constant turns, making it a technical local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch on North Johnson Street is 0 miles, you will find that the road requires your full attention throughout the journey. This is a drive where you trade high-speed transit for a more grounded, local perspective of the Alabama landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Johnson Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 40m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Samson, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Johnson Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Davis Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Neal Grantham Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AL 167 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Birmingham Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Memorial Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Old Montgomery Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Johnson Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Samson, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Main Street
13 ft
·
6 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto North Johnson Street
22 mi
·
34 min
·
North Johnson Street
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Davis Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Davis Street
4
At the end of the road, turn left
1.5 mi
·
1 min
5
Continue straight
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
6
Turn right onto Neal Grantham Drive
20 mi
·
34 min
·
Neal Grantham Drive
7
At the end of the road, turn right onto AL 167 South: Enterprise
16 ft
·
1 sec
·
AL 167 South: Enterprise
8
Keep slight left to continue on AL 167 South: Enterprise
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
AL 167 South: Enterprise
9
Turn slight left
7.6 mi
·
11 min
10
Turn left
0.6 mi
·
1 min
11
Continue straight
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
12
Continue straight
1.2 mi
·
1 min
13
Continue straight
1.8 mi
·
2 min
14
Continue straight
3.4 mi
·
3 min
15
Continue straight
36 mi
·
42 min
16
Turn left onto South Boulevard
10 mi
·
15 min
·
South Boulevard
17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Birmingham Highway
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Birmingham Highway
18
Continue on Memorial Drive
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Drive
19
Turn left
512 ft
·
8 sec
20
Continue straight
87 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
21
Take the exit slight left
308 ft
·
11 sec
22
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Montgomery Highway
23
Turn left onto Skyland Boulevard East
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Skyland Boulevard East
24
Turn right
2.4 mi
·
2 min
25
Continue straight
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
26
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
27
Turn right onto University Boulevard
285 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
28
Turn left
167 ft
·
12 sec
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this 3-hour and 40-minute drive is entirely local, plan for a steady pace rather than a quick sprint. You should factor in at least one stop to break up the navigation, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more demanding than standard highway travel. Leaving early in the morning is a smart move to maximize your daylight hours and ensure you aren't rushing through local intersections at dusk. Keep your $28 fuel estimate in mind, and verify your route frequently to stay on track with the specific local streets provided. Because the path relies on local roads, remain alert for changing speed limits and residential traffic as you transition between towns.
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 101.4 miles from Samson, AL, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.4 miles or 1h 50m 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
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 Samson, 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 Samson, AL
This is one driving day of about 202.8 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Samson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.4 mi from Samson, AL · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 101.4 miles from Samson, 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
$31.00 one way
$62.01 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $34.00 | $68.01 |
| premium | $4.61 | $36.81 | $73.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.06 | $90.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.29 | $9.73 |
| Efficient EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.75 | $8.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.39 | $12.98 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
3h 40m 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 Samson, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 202.8 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Johnson Street, East Davis Street, Neal Grantham Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.4 miles from Samson, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.00 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 straightforward 3h 40m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Samson, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Samson, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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