Origin
Warrior, AL
Afternoon in Warrior on Friday
Local time
12:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Warrior, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
78.1 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Warrior, AL
Fernando Cortés
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 78.1 miles through the heart of Alabama, this drive between Warrior and Tuscaloosa typically takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes. Because the trip is short and straightforward, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip that requires no overnight stops. You can expect to budget roughly $12 for fuel, making this an affordable journey within the Southeast region. Since the route is primarily highway-focused, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising toward your destination. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes efficiency over meandering detours.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 78.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
With 93% of the journey spent on highways, this trip is defined by a consistent, interstate-heavy pace. You will navigate a combination of I-65 and I-20, occasionally transitioning onto local roads like Louisa Street to round out the 78.1-mile trek. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a 52.8-mile run on I-20, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. Expect a functional, high-speed experience rather than a winding backroads adventure. As you progress, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving quickly toward Tuscaloosa.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 52.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.1 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: at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
16.6 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
17.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
17.6 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
8
74.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
7
78 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Warrior, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Fultondale
16.6 mi in
|
~19m
Montgomery
17.6 mi in
|
~20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 52.8 mi | 57m |
| I 65 | 17.5 mi | 19m |
| Louisa Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| I 359 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Service Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Kemp Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 52.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Warrior, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Bluff Street
109 ft
·
6 sec
·
Bluff Street
2
Turn right onto 2nd Street
307 ft
·
13 sec
·
2nd Street
3
Turn right onto Kemp Drive
302 ft
·
13 sec
·
Kemp Drive
4
Turn right onto US 31
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Louisa Street
5
Turn slight right
255 ft
·
9 sec
6
Turn slight right onto Service Road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Service Road
7
Take the ramp
103 ft
·
4 sec
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
9
Merge onto I 65
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
15
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
19
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39 mi from Warrior, AL · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39 miles from Warrior, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tuscaloosa, AL
The final approach into Tuscaloosa, 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
$11.79 one way
$23.59 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $12.95 | $25.90 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.02 | $28.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.24 | $34.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.20 | $3.75 |
| Efficient EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.83 | $3.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.93 | $5.00 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Tuscaloosa, AL
Afternoon in Tuscaloosa on Friday
Local time
12:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 29m 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 Warrior, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 78.1 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 65, Louisa Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39 miles from Warrior, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.79 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Warrior, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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