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 Hamilton, AL
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
82 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Hamilton, AL
muaz semih güven
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Tuscaloosa to Hamilton, you are looking at a straightforward 82-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is manageable without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to cover the trip, making it a very economical choice for your schedule. Because both cities are located within Alabama, you will stay entirely within the Southeast region throughout your travel. This route provides a reliable connection between these two points, offering a practical way to reach your destination efficiently. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a balanced pace for any driver.
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
41 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 90% of this route relies on major thoroughfares like US 43, AL 13, and I-22. You will spend the bulk of your time at cruising speeds, with the longest uninterrupted stretch measuring 28.6 miles along US 43. The transition between these roads creates a consistent flow, moving you steadily toward your destination without the frequent stop-and-go patterns of local traffic. While it lacks the winding character of backroads, the infrastructure provides a predictable environment behind the wheel. You will find that the shift from the primary highway segments to the interstate portion keeps the drive moving at a steady, efficient clip.
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.
US 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and AL 13. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Boulevard.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 49m drive. You will face about 9 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 9 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.
6
76.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 43, US 278: Hamilton, Guin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 16
Toward US 43, US 278: Hamilton, Guin
6
82 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
AL 74 / Bexar Avenue West
Turn left onto AL 74 / Bexar Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Hamilton, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Guin along the way.
Guin
76.7 mi in
|
~1h 40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 43 | 28.6 mi | 39m |
| AL 13 | 22.9 mi | 31m |
| I 22 | 22.1 mi | 23m |
| South Military Street | 5 mi | 8m |
| Main Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 1 mi | 1m |
| 10th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 28.6 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Hamilton, 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
23 mi
·
31 min
·
AL 13
Use the none lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
9
Merge onto I 22; US 78
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 22; US 78
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 16
Toward US 43, US 278: Hamilton, Guin
11
Turn right onto US 43; US 278; AL 171
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
South Military Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto AL 74
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Bexar Avenue West
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
AL 74
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best without worrying about mid-trip fatigue. Because there are no designated stops required for this 82-mile distance, you can easily complete the journey in one go. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on highways, so stay alert for merging traffic when transitioning between US 43 and I-22. It is wise to check your fuel levels before leaving Tuscaloosa to ensure you stay within your $13 estimate, as you won't need to plan for lengthy refueling breaks along the way. Enjoy the simplicity of this direct route and use the extra time saved to plan your arrival in Hamilton.
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 41 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.6 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41 miles or 57m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hamilton, 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 82 miles and 1h 49m.
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 US 43 for about 28.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 41 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hamilton, AL
The final approach into Hamilton, 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 Hamilton, 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
$12.54 one way
$25.07 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $13.75 | $27.50 |
| premium | $4.61 | $14.88 | $29.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.22 | $36.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.18 | $3.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.48 | $5.25 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Hamilton, AL
Evening in Hamilton on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Cordova, AL
41 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 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 49m 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 Hamilton, AL covers 82 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 43, AL 13, I 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41 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 $12.54 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 straightforward 1h 49m drive. You will face about 9 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.
On the drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Hamilton, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Guin along the way.
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