Origin
Thorsby, AL
Evening in Thorsby on Wednesday
Local time
6:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thorsby, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
70.2 mi
113 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thorsby, AL
Wolfgang Weiser
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 63.2 miles, the journey from Thorsby to Tuscaloosa is a manageable trek that typically takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is ideal as a simple day outing, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend approximately $10 on fuel for the one-way trip, making it a budget-friendly excursion across the Southeast. Navigating this route involves a combination of US 82, Old Montgomery Highway, and Skyland Boulevard East. Since the entire drive stays within Alabama, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your travel.
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
35.1 miles from Thorsby, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features zero percent highway driving. You will spend your time navigating local roads that demand more engagement from the driver than a standard interstate stint. The path transitions through various stretches, requiring you to stay alert as you move from Thorsby toward Tuscaloosa. Because the route relies on local infrastructure, you should prepare for a steady, rhythmic pace behind the wheel. It is a straightforward, practical commute that focuses on connectivity rather than high-speed transit.
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.
US 82 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
738 ft
198 ft
Total Climb
477 ft
Total Descent
945 ft
Highest Point
738 ft
~5.9 mi in
Elevation Range
540 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and AL 25. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.1 miles in near AL 25; AL 155.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 15.1 miles (AL 25; AL 155): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles (AL 219): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.7 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.
7
15.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
AL 25; AL 155
At end of road, turn left onto AL 25; AL 155
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
35.8 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
AL 219
Take the ramp onto AL 219 toward US 82:west: Tuscaloosa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 82:west: Tuscaloosa
5
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
70.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
70.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 82 | 27.3 mi | 31m |
| AL 25 | 20.7 mi | 28m |
| AL 155 | 9.4 mi | 16m |
| US 31 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| US 11 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Old Montgomery Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| AL 219 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 27.3 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thorsby, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Concordia Street
68 ft
·
7 sec
·
Concordia Street
2
Turn left onto US 31
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
US 31
3
Turn left onto AL 155
9.4 mi
·
16 min
·
AL 155
4
At end of road, turn left onto AL 25; AL 155
21 mi
·
28 min
·
AL 25; AL 155
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp onto AL 219
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
AL 219
Toward US 82:west: Tuscaloosa
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 82
27 mi
·
31 min
·
US 82
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
308 ft
·
10 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Montgomery Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Skyland Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto US 11; AL 69
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
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
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 1 hour and 10 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. You will not need to worry about long-distance pacing or planning for multiple stops, as the 63.2-mile distance is easily completed in one go. Keep in mind the $10 fuel estimate when prepping your vehicle for the day. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay mindful of your navigation, particularly when transitioning between Old Montgomery Highway and Skyland Boulevard East, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads requires careful attention to signage. Enjoy the simplicity of this direct Alabama transit.
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 35.1 miles from Thorsby, AL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.3 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 15 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.1 miles or 52m 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 21m
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 Thorsby, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Thorsby, AL
This is one driving day of about 70.2 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Thorsby, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 82 for about 27.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.1 mi from Thorsby, AL · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.1 miles from Thorsby, 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
$10.60 one way
$21.20 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $11.64 | $23.28 |
| premium | $4.56 | $12.60 | $25.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.50 | $31.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.37 | $3.37 |
| Efficient EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.14 | $2.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.83 | $4.49 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 Wednesday
Local time
6:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Centreville, AL
35 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
1h 35m 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 Thorsby, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 70.2 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 82, AL 25, AL 155. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.1 miles from Thorsby, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.60 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 70.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 15.1 miles (AL 25; AL 155): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles (AL 219): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Thorsby, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 198 ft to 738 ft elevation with about 477 ft of total climbing.
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