Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Satsuma, AL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

187.1 mi

301 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 33m ★

6 AM

3h 45m

8 AM

4h 11m

10 AM

3h 54m

12 PM

3h 52m

3 PM

3h 55m

5 PM

4h 9m

8 PM

3h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Tuscaloosa, AL

Kelly

Satsuma, AL

Engin Akyurt

Trip Overview

This 187.1-mile drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Satsuma, AL is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Predominantly a highway-focused trip, you'll spend about 85% of your time on major roads like US 43 and I 20, with Demopolis Highway also a key segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. You'll navigate through the Southeast region of Alabama, experiencing a consistent driving environment. This makes it a practical option if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to travel between these two locations without needing an overnight stay.

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

93.5 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 187.1-mile trip, with 85% of your journey on major thoroughfares. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 126.7 miles primarily on US 43, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. The character of the drive is largely defined by these main roads, suggesting a focus on efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. As you progress, the road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing the highway nature of this route from Tuscaloosa to Satsuma.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 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 126.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and I 20. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Boulevard.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 187.1 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | University Boulevard

Turn right onto University Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

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.

2.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

28.7 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward Union

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Union

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Satsuma, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.

Union

28.7 mi in | ~32m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 43	126.7 mi	2h 25m
I 20	25.6 mi	27m
Demopolis Highway	24 mi	34m
US 11	4.6 mi	6m
I 359	2 mi	2m
M L King Highway	1.3 mi	3m
North Cedar Avenue	1 mi	1m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 43 — 126.7 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Satsuma, AL.

Start on this road

132 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn right onto University Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · University Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 43; AL 69

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on I 359; AL 69

0.3 mi · 24 sec · I 359; AL 69

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69

1.7 mi · 1 min · I 359; US 11; AL 69

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 20; I 59

26 mi · 27 min · I 20; I 59

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward Union Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto CR 208

1.3 mi · 3 min · M L King Highway

Merge onto US 11; US 43

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 11; US 43

Turn left onto 1st Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 1st Avenue

Merge onto US 43; AL 14

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Greensboro Street

Turn slight right onto US 43

24 mi · 34 min · Demopolis Highway

Turn left onto US 43

0.1 mi · 13 sec · East Capitol Street

Turn right onto US 43

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Cedar Avenue

Turn left onto US 43; US 80

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 43; US 80

Turn right onto US 43

17 mi · 19 min · US 43

Turn right onto US 43

108 mi · 2 hr 5 min · US 43

Turn left onto Railroad Street

186 ft · 10 sec · Railroad Street

Arrive at destination

Railroad Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3 hour and 45 minute duration, starting your drive in Tuscaloosa earlier in the day is advisable to maximize daylight for the 187.1-mile journey. With only one planned stop, consider making it around the halfway point to break up the longest stretch of 126.7 miles on US 43. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is quite manageable, so keeping your tank full is a good idea, especially as you'll be on highways for 85% of the route. This drive is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility to depart and arrive at your convenience without the need for an overnight stop.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 93.5 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 93.5 miles or 1h 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 3h 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Satsuma, 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 187.1 miles and 3h 45m.

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 US 43 for about 126.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.5 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 1h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Butler, AL

94 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

Butler, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Butler, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.5 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.7 miles.

Arriving in Satsuma, AL

The final approach into Satsuma, 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 Satsuma, AL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.26 one way

$56.51 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$31.02	$62.04
premium	$4.56	$33.58	$67.16
diesel	$5.61	$41.31	$82.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.1	$19.65	$8.98
Efficient EV	46.8	$16.37	$7.48
EV Truck/SUV	74.8	$26.19	$11.97

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast data refreshed 7 hours ago

Origin

Tuscaloosa, AL

Morning in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday

Local time

7:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Satsuma, AL

Morning in Satsuma on Wednesday

Local time

7:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Butler, AL

94 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 45m 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 Satsuma, AL covers 187.1 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 43, I 20, Demopolis Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 93.5 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 $28.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.