Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Evening in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Florence, AL
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
121.7 mi
196 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Florence, AL
Efrem Efre
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Tuscaloosa to Florence, you are in for a straightforward journey through the Alabama landscape. Spanning 121.7 miles, this trip typically takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting around $19 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel. It is a practical, highway-focused route that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
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
60.8 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 98% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will primarily navigate via AL 13, US 43, and Main Avenue, which provide a consistent rhythm behind the wheel. The most significant portion of your journey is an 87.8-mile stretch on AL 13, where you can settle into a steady pace. While the road is mostly highway-focused, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving along steadily. You should expect a functional, utilitarian experience that prioritizes direct travel over technical or winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
AL 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 13 and US 43. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Boulevard.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 51m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (University Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (10th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Turn right onto US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
10th Street
Turn left onto 10th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
119.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
121.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 13 | 87.8 mi | 2h 1m |
| US 43 | 30.4 mi | 42m |
| Main Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 278 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Pine Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 10th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Doctor Hicks Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
AL 13
— 87.8 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Florence, AL.
1
Start on this road
132 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto University Boulevard
294 ft
·
7 sec
·
University Boulevard
3
Turn right onto US 43; AL 69
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto 10th Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
10th Street
Use the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn right onto Main Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Avenue
6
Continue on US 43
29 mi
·
39 min
·
US 43
Use the left / none lanes.
7
Continue on AL 13
33 mi
·
46 min
·
AL 13
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 278; AL 13
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 278; AL 13
9
Continue on AL 13
55 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
AL 13
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
437 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto South Pine Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Pine Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Pine Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 121.7-mile trek, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the drive is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid any peak local traffic. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting that long 87.8-mile stretch on AL 13, as it is the primary leg of your journey. Because this is a relatively quick trip, you won't need to stress about complex logistics or multi-day pacing. Focus on maintaining a steady flow through the highway sections to ensure a smooth arrival in Florence.
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 60.8 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.8 miles or 1h 26m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, 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 121.7 miles and 2h 51m.
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 13 for about 87.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.8 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 60.8 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before AL 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.8 miles.
Arriving in Florence, AL
The final approach into Florence, 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 Florence, 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
$18.60 one way
$37.21 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $20.41 | $40.81 |
| premium | $4.61 | $22.09 | $44.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.5 | 0 | $12.78 | $5.84 |
| Efficient EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.65 | $4.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.04 | $7.79 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Florence, AL
Evening in Florence on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
83°F
Bear Creek, AL
61 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 51m 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 Florence, AL covers 121.7 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are AL 13, US 43, Main Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.8 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 $18.60 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.
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 2h 51m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (University Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (10th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tuscaloosa, AL to Florence, 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 Florence, AL
More trips to Florence, AL
Explore more options from Tuscaloosa, AL or browse trips ending in Florence, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Tuscaloosa, AL or Florence, AL on MapSof.net.