Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Evening in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
6:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Madison, AL
Drive Time
2h 12m
Distance
147.3 mi
237 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 3m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Madison, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Trip Overview
Spanning 147.3 miles through the Southeast, this trip from Tuscaloosa to Madison typically takes about 2 hours and 12 minutes. You will navigate a mix of local streets like University Boulevard and Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard South before transitioning onto I-65 North. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budgeting roughly $20 for fuel should cover your needs for this journey. It is a practical, efficient route that keeps you within Alabama while connecting two significant regional hubs.
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
73.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route requires your full attention through the initial segments. You will spend your time navigating local thoroughfares before making the transition to the highway. While the highway share is 0% for the initial local portion, the route effectively moves you toward your destination with a steady pace. Since the longest stretch on University Boulevard is 0 miles, be prepared for frequent turns and directional changes early on. The experience feels more like an active, hands-on commute than a passive highway slog.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
University Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Madison, AL is easy. At 2h 12m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Madison, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 65 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 565 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Madison Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Madison | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Wall Triana Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sullivan Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
University Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Madison, AL.
1
Start on the route
131 ft
·
12 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto University Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
University Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
4
Continue straight
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
5
Continue straight
1.7 mi
·
1 min
6
Take the exit slight right
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
7
Keep slight left
0.8 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge slight left
53 mi
·
56 min
9
Take the exit slight left toward I 65 North: Huntsville
148 ft
·
4 sec
·
I 65 North: Huntsville
10
Continue on I 65 North: Huntsville
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 65 North: Huntsville
11
Merge slight right
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
14
Merge slight left
8.4 mi
·
9 min
15
Take the exit slight right toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
16
Keep slight left to continue on Madison
466 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison
17
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Wall Triana Highway
18
Continue on Sullivan Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sullivan Street
19
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Main Street
20
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Church Street
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to avoid peak local traffic. I recommend checking your fuel levels before departing, as the $20 estimate is based on typical conditions for this 147.3-mile trip. Because there are no designated stops scheduled in the data, you should plan your own breaks along the main roads if you need to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your navigation through the turn-heavy sections in Tuscaloosa before you hit I-65 North to ensure you stay on track. Taking the time to map your turns early will make the transition to the interstate much smoother.
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 73.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.6 miles or 1h 6m 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 Madison, 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 147.3 miles and 2h 12m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.6 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 73.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Madison, AL
The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, 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
$22.52 one way
$45.04 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $24.70 | $49.40 |
| premium | $4.61 | $26.73 | $53.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.72 | $65.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.47 | $7.07 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.89 | $5.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.62 | $9.43 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Madison, AL
Evening in Madison on Sunday
Local time
6:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Hayden, AL
74 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 12m 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 Madison, AL covers 147.3 miles and takes about 2h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University Boulevard, Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South, I 65 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.6 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 $22.52 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.
The drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Madison, AL is easy. At 2h 12m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Madison, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Tuscaloosa, AL to Madison, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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