Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Late night in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Gadsden, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
119.3 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Gadsden, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Gadsden, AL covers 119.3 miles and takes about 2h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, I 59, I 759 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 58.2 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.02 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
59.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 15m highway drive covering 119.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and I 59. The longest continuous stretch is about 58.2 miles on I 20.
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 58.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 59. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 119.3 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 10 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.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
61.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 58.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 59 | 51.7 mi | 55m |
| I 759 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| I 359 | 2 mi | 2m |
| South 11th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Walnut Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Black Creek Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 58.2 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Gadsden, 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
58 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 182
Toward I 759: Gadsden
11
Continue on I 759
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 759
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 2
Toward Black Creek Parkway
13
Turn slight left onto Black Creek Parkway
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Black Creek Parkway
14
Turn slight right onto South 11th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South 11th Street
15
Turn right onto Walnut Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
16
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 6th Street
17
Arrive at destination
South 6th Street
Trip Plan
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 59.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.2 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 7m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gadsden, 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 119.3 miles and 2h 15m.
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 58.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.6 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 59.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gadsden, AL
The final approach into Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, 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
$18.02 one way
$36.03 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $19.78 | $39.56 |
| premium | $4.56 | $21.41 | $42.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.34 | $52.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.53 | $5.73 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.44 | $4.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.70 | $7.64 |
Gas CO2
42 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
Gadsden, AL
Late night in Gadsden on Wednesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Hoover, AL
60 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
2h 15m 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 Gadsden, AL covers 119.3 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 59, I 759. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.6 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 $18.02 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 10 significant decision points across 119.3 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 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tuscaloosa, AL to Gadsden, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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