Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Center Point, AL

Drive Time

2h 57m

Distance

129.8 mi

209 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 46m ★

6 AM

2h 57m

8 AM

3h 20m

10 AM

3h 5m

12 PM

3h 3m

3 PM

3h 6m

5 PM

3h 19m

8 PM

2h 51m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Tuscaloosa, AL

Kelly

Center Point, AL

Andrius La Rotta

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Tuscaloosa to Center Point, you are looking at a 129.8-mile journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes to complete. Because the total duration is under three hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight lodging. Budgeting around $20 for fuel should cover your needs for the drive. You will primarily navigate via AL 69, I-20, and the Demopolis Highway. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Alabama, you can expect a familiar landscape throughout your transit.

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

64.9 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 78% of your time spent on major roads. You will encounter a varied experience behind the wheel, transitioning between the steady pace of I-20 and the different flow of AL 69. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will face is 49.2 miles along AL 69, which requires sustained attention. Expect a mix of high-speed interstate travel and local highway driving that keeps the pace engaging from start to finish.

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

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

AL 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 69 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Boulevard.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 129.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (University Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | University Boulevard

Turn right onto University Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

Turn left onto US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

2.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

28.7 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward Union

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Union

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Center Point, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.

Union

28.7 mi in | ~32m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
AL 69	49.2 mi	1h 13m
I 20	25.6 mi	27m
Demopolis Highway	24 mi	34m
US 43	17.2 mi	19m
US 11	4.6 mi	6m
AL 154	3.1 mi	5m
I 359	2 mi	2m
M L King Highway	1.3 mi	3m

Longest stretch: AL 69 — 49.2 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

132 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn right onto University Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · University Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 43; AL 69

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on I 359; AL 69

0.3 mi · 24 sec · I 359; AL 69

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69

1.7 mi · 1 min · I 359; US 11; AL 69

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 20; I 59

26 mi · 27 min · I 20; I 59

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward Union Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto CR 208

1.3 mi · 3 min · M L King Highway

Merge onto US 11; US 43

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 11; US 43

Turn left onto 1st Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 1st Avenue

Merge onto US 43; AL 14

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Greensboro Street

Turn slight right onto US 43

24 mi · 34 min · Demopolis Highway

Turn left onto US 43

0.1 mi · 13 sec · East Capitol Street

Turn right onto US 43

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Cedar Avenue

Turn left onto US 43; US 80

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 43; US 80

Turn right onto US 43

16 mi · 18 min · US 43

Turn right onto AL 69

49 mi · 1 hr 13 min · AL 69

Turn left onto AL 154

3.1 mi · 5 min · AL 154

Arrive at destination

AL 154

Trip Plan

Given the total travel time of nearly three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the heaviest traffic windows. You only need to plan for one stop along the way, which is manageable given the route's length. Make sure to keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 49.2-mile stretch on AL 69, as this is your longest period away from frequent service areas. Taking a single, well-timed break will help you arrive in Center Point feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 64.9 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.2 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 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 64.9 miles or 1h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Center Point, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Tuscaloosa, 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 Tuscaloosa, AL

This is one driving day of about 129.8 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tuscaloosa, 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 AL 69 for about 49.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64.9 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 1h 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Butler, AL

65 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

Butler, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Butler, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.9 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Center Point, AL

The final approach into Center Point, 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 Center Point, 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

$19.84 one way

$39.69 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$21.76	$43.53
premium	$4.61	$23.56	$47.12
diesel	$5.64	$28.84	$57.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.9	$13.63	$6.23
Efficient EV	32.5	$11.36	$5.19
EV Truck/SUV	51.9	$18.17	$8.31

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Tuscaloosa, AL

Afternoon in Tuscaloosa on Sunday

Local time

4:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Center Point, AL

Afternoon in Center Point on Sunday

Local time

4:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Butler, AL

65 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 57m 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 Tuscaloosa, AL to Center Point, AL covers 129.8 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are AL 69, I 20, Demopolis Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 64.9 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.84 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Center Point, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.

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