Origin
Smoke Rise, AL
Night in Smoke Rise on Wednesday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smoke Rise, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
85 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 36m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smoke Rise, AL
Marino Kurunić
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Smoke Rise to Tuscaloosa covers 85 miles of Alabama terrain, typically requiring about 1 hour and 23 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the journey. Since both points are located within the Southeast region, the climate and general landscape remain consistent throughout the drive. It is an ideal route if you are looking for a straightforward, direct connection between these two locations without the need for multiple stops.
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
42.5 miles from Smoke Rise, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate primarily via Crosshill Lane, Crosshill Trail, and Ridge Trail to reach your destination. The lack of high-speed interstate segments means your focus will remain on local roads for the entire 85-mile duration. Because the route is composed of winding local stretches, be prepared for a more engaged driving experience compared to a standard freeway slog. This journey maintains a consistent, technical pace from start to finish.
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.
Crosshill Lane 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Smoke Rise, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is easy. At 1h 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Smoke Rise, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crosshill Lane | — | — |
| Crosshill Trail | — | — |
| Ridge Trail | — | — |
| Scenic Trail | — | — |
| Smoke Rise Trail | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
| I 22 West | — | — |
| Montgomery | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Crosshill Lane
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smoke Rise, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on the route
157 ft
·
17 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto Crosshill Lane
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Crosshill Lane
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Crosshill Trail
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosshill Trail
4
Turn right onto Ridge Trail
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ridge Trail
5
Continue on Ridge Trail
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Ridge Trail
6
Turn left onto Scenic Trail
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Scenic Trail
7
Turn left onto Smoke Rise Trail
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Smoke Rise Trail
8
Continue on Smoke Rise Trail
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Smoke Rise Trail
9
At the end of the road, turn right
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
200 ft
·
5 sec
·
the route
11
Exit the roundabout
256 ft
·
7 sec
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
223 ft
·
7 sec
·
the route
13
Exit the roundabout
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
249 ft
·
4 sec
·
the route
15
Exit the roundabout
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
16
Merge slight left
18 mi
·
19 min
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 22 West: Memphis
19
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Montgomery
20
Merge slight left
3.7 mi
·
4 min
21
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
22
Merge slight left
53 mi
·
57 min
23
Take the exit slight right toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
24
Merge slight left
1.8 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 is a one-day trip with no mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads requires your full attention, so aim to drive during daylight hours to navigate the curves comfortably. Budgeting $13 for fuel should be more than sufficient for the trip, but it is always wise to fill up before you leave Smoke Rise to avoid searching for stations along the local route. Given the absence of scheduled stops, pack your own refreshments to enjoy at your leisure. Taking advantage of the short travel time allows you to maximize your day once you arrive in Tuscaloosa.
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 42.5 miles from Smoke Rise, AL, or about 41m 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 19 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 41m 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 10m
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 Smoke Rise, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Smoke Rise, AL
This is one driving day of about 85 miles and 1h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Smoke Rise, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.5 mi from Smoke Rise, AL · 41m 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.5 miles from Smoke Rise, 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
$12.84 one way
$25.67 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.09 | $28.18 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.26 | $30.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.77 | $37.53 |
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: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.92 | $4.08 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.44 | $3.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34 | 0 | $11.90 | $5.44 |
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
Night in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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 23m 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 Smoke Rise, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 85 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Crosshill Lane, Crosshill Trail, Ridge Trail. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.5 miles from Smoke Rise, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.84 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.
The drive from Smoke Rise, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is easy. At 1h 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Smoke Rise, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Smoke Rise, 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 Smoke Rise, AL
More trips to Tuscaloosa, AL
Explore more options from Smoke Rise, AL or browse trips ending in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Smoke Rise, AL or Tuscaloosa, AL on MapSof.net.