Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Morning in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
10:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Smoke Rise, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
84 mi
135 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Smoke Rise, AL
Marino Kurunić
Trip Overview
The drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Smoke Rise, AL covers 84 miles and takes about 1h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on University Boulevard, Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South, I 65 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 84 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 43m drive with frequent turns across 84 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Smoke Rise, AL is easy. At 1h 43m 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 Smoke Rise, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University Boulevard | — | — |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South | — | — |
| I 65 North | — | — |
| US 31 South | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
| Smoke Rise Trail | — | — |
| Scenic Trail | — | — |
| Ridge Trail | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
University Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Smoke Rise, 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
23 mi
·
26 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 South, AL 3 South, AL 160 East: Hayden, Corner
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 31 South, AL 3 South, AL 160 East: Hayden, Corner
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
66 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
14
Exit the roundabout
256 ft
·
6 sec
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
262 ft
·
6 sec
·
the route
16
Exit the roundabout
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
17
Turn left onto Smoke Rise Trail
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Smoke Rise Trail
18
Continue on Smoke Rise Trail
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Smoke Rise Trail
19
Turn right onto Scenic Trail
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Scenic Trail
20
Turn right onto Ridge Trail
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Ridge Trail
21
Continue on Ridge Trail
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ridge Trail
22
Turn left onto Crosshill Trail
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosshill Trail
23
Turn left onto Crosshill Lane
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Crosshill Lane
24
Turn right
157 ft
·
11 sec
25
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 42 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 51m 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42 miles or 51m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smoke Rise, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tuscaloosa, AL
This is one driving day of about 84 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42 mi from Tuscaloosa, AL · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Smoke Rise, AL
The final approach into Smoke Rise, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.69 one way
$25.37 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.93 | $27.85 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.08 | $30.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.55 | $37.09 |
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: 29.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.82 | $4.03 |
| Efficient EV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.76 | $5.38 |
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
Smoke Rise, AL
Morning in Smoke Rise on Saturday
Local time
10:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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 43m 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 Smoke Rise, AL covers 84 miles and takes about 1h 43m 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 42 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 $12.69 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 Smoke Rise, AL is easy. At 1h 43m 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 Smoke Rise, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Tuscaloosa, AL to Smoke Rise, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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