Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Late night in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Fultondale, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
63.2 mi
102 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 13m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 17m
12 PM
1h 16m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 24m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Fultondale, AL
Tomás Asurmendi
Trip Overview
Embarking on this 63.2-mile journey from Tuscaloosa, AL, to Fultondale, AL, will take you approximately 1 hour and 13 minutes. This is a straightforward, single-day drive, making it perfect for a quick trip without needing an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $10, it's an economical option for travelers within the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes major interstates, offering a consistent and efficient travel experience. You'll be covering a significant portion of the drive on I-20, so expect a highway-focused experience for most of your travel time.
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
31.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 92% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-20, I-65, and I-359. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 52.9 miles on I-20, indicating long periods of consistent speed. Expect a steady pace with minimal interruptions as you navigate these well-traveled roads. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, offering a predictable and efficient transit between Tuscaloosa and Fultondale.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 52.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 65. 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
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 63.2 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 60.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
60.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 31: Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265B
Toward US 31: Fultondale
7
61.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31: Fultondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 31: Fultondale
7
61.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 North: Fultondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 31 North: Fultondale
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 52.9 mi | 56m |
| I 65 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| I 359 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Decatur Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Whaley Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 52.9 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Fultondale, AL.
1
Start on this road
132 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto University Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 359; US 11; AL 69
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi
·
56 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
149 ft
·
3 sec
Exit 124C
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
this road
Exit 124B
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
11
Merge onto I 65
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 265B
Toward US 31: Fultondale
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 31: Fultondale
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 31 North: Fultondale
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto US 31
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Decatur Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto Whaley Road
0.2 mi
·
57 sec
·
Whaley Road
17
Arrive at destination
Whaley Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over an hour, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Fultondale. With only 63.2 miles, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous stops if needed, though the route data indicates no designated stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch is over 50 miles; planning your fuel stops before you begin this segment on I-20 is a practical approach. The estimated fuel cost of $10 makes this a budget-friendly excursion.
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 31.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.9 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 63.2 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.6 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fultondale, 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 63.2 miles and 1h 13m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 52.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.6 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 63.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fultondale, AL
The final approach into Fultondale, 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 Fultondale, 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
$9.54 one way
$19.09 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $10.48 | $20.96 |
| premium | $4.56 | $11.34 | $22.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.95 | $27.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.1 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 | 19 | 0 | $6.64 | $3.03 |
| Efficient EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.53 | $2.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.85 | $4.04 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Fultondale, AL
Late night in Fultondale on Wednesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Cordova, AL
32 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
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
1h 13m 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 Fultondale, AL covers 63.2 miles and takes about 1h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 65, I 359. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.6 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 $9.54 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 63.2 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.
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 60.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tuscaloosa, AL to Fultondale, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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