Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Night in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday
Local time
11:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Bear Creek, AL
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
81.3 mi
131 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Bear Creek, AL
patrice schoefolt
Trip Overview
This 81.3-mile drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Bear Creek, AL is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused experience, with 97% of the journey on major roads, making it efficient for covering ground. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this route is budget-friendly for a short excursion within the Southeast region. Given its relatively short distance and direct nature, this trip is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and return times.
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
40.7 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a road that is overwhelmingly highway-focused, accounting for 97% of the total mileage. You'll spend most of your time on AL 13 and US 43, which are designed for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.6 miles on AL 13, offering a good period of consistent driving without frequent turns. This drive is about efficient travel, with minimal time spent on slower, more winding local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
AL 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 13 and US 43. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Boulevard.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Bear Creek, AL is easy. At 1h 56m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 5 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.
4
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Main Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Main Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
81.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
Grover Avenue
Turn left onto Grover Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 13 | 49.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| US 43 | 28.6 mi | 39m |
| Main Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 278 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 10th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Grover Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
AL 13
— 49.6 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Bear Creek, 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 lane.
7
Continue on AL 13
33 mi
·
46 min
·
AL 13
8
Continue on US 278; AL 13
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 278; AL 13
9
Continue on AL 13
17 mi
·
25 min
·
AL 13
10
Turn left onto Grover Avenue
42 ft
·
1 sec
·
Grover Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
Grover Avenue
Trip Plan
With a duration of under two hours and a low fuel cost of $12, this route offers significant flexibility. You can leave Tuscaloosa at your leisure, perhaps after morning traffic has cleared, and still arrive in Bear Creek with plenty of daylight. Since there are no suggested stops, plan your own brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 49.6-mile stretch on AL 13, to ensure you don't need to search for a station unexpectedly.
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 40.7 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.6 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bear Creek, 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 81.3 miles and 1h 56m.
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 AL 13 for about 49.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.7 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 40.7 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bear Creek, AL
The final approach into Bear Creek, 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 Bear Creek, 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
$12.28 one way
$24.56 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.48 | $26.96 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.59 | $29.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.95 | $35.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.11 | $3.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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
Bear Creek, AL
Night in Bear Creek on Tuesday
Local time
11:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°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
33 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 56m 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 Bear Creek, AL covers 81.3 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are AL 13, US 43, Main Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.7 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 $12.28 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 Bear Creek, AL is easy. At 1h 56m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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.
The route from Tuscaloosa, AL to Bear Creek, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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