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Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
225.3 mi
363 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Bayou La Batre, AL
Alfo Medeiros
The drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Bayou La Batre, AL covers 225.3 miles and takes about 4h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 43, I 20, Demopolis Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 124.7 miles on US 43. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.03 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
112.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
This is a 4h 35m highway drive covering 225.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 43 and I 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 124.7 miles on US 43.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and I 20. 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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 225.3 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 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Union
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 39 North: Dawes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tuscaloosa, AL and Bayou La Batre, AL, road signs point toward Union, Cr 39: Bayou La Batre, Dawes and Cr 39 North: Dawes.
Union
Cr 39: Bayou La Batre
Dawes
Cr 39 North: Dawes
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 43 | 124.7 mi | 2h 22m |
| I 20 | 25.6 mi | 27m |
| Demopolis Highway | 24 mi | 34m |
| I 65 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| I 10 | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| Padgett Switch Road | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| US 11 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| CR 39 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Bayou La Batre, AL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Turn left onto US 43; AL 69
Continue on I 359; AL 69
Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Take the exit
Turn left onto CR 208
Merge onto US 11; US 43
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
Merge onto US 43; AL 14
Turn slight right onto US 43
Turn left onto US 43
Turn right onto US 43
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
Turn right onto US 43
Turn right onto US 43
Take the exit
Merge onto I 65
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto CR 39
Continue on CR 39
Continue on CR 39
Continue on CR 39
Continue on CR 39
Continue on Padgett Switch Road
Turn left onto AL 188
Arrive at destination
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.
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 112.6 miles or 2h 19m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bayou La Batre, AL than in the middle of the route.
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 225.3 miles and 4h 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.6 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 112.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124.7 miles.
The final approach into Bayou La Batre, 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 Bayou La Batre, 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.
Regular Gas
$34.03 one way
$68.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $37.35 | $74.70 |
| premium | $4.56 | $40.44 | $80.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.74 | $99.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.66 | $10.81 |
| Efficient EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.71 | $9.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.54 | $14.42 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Night in Bayou La Batre on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
48°F
Butler, AL
113 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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