Connecting Anniston to Tuscaloosa, this 119.1-mile journey is an efficient Southeast transit that typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Because the trip is straightforward and relatively short, it serves perfectly as a quick day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel, making it an affordable connection between these two Alabama hubs. By utilizing I-20 and the John M. Harbert III Freeway, you stay on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of the time. This route is ideal if you are looking for a practical, no-nonsense way to traverse the state without the need for complex planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Anniston, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
75.7 mi
1h 21m
John M. Harbert III Freeway
28.4 mi
30m
Albert P Brewer Highway
7.9 mi
11m
I 359
2.2 mi
2m
Donald G. Holmes Bypass
0.9 mi
1m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.5 mi
1m
Gurnee Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
University Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 75.7 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anniston, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·45 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Gurnee Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Gurnee Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto AL 202
7.9 mi·11 min·Albert P Brewer Highway
4
Continue on AL 202
0.9 mi·1 min·Donald G. Holmes Bypass
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 20
42 mi·44 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 136Toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, GadsdenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 459 South: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
9
Merge onto I 459
28 mi·30 min·John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 11; AL 5
34 mi·36 min·I 20; I 59; US 11; AL 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
15
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 15-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily make the entire 119.1-mile trip without any mandatory stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge to ensure you stay within your $18 budget. Because the longest stretch of 75.7 miles on I-20 offers few breaks, plan to check your tire pressure and fluid levels before you leave Anniston. If you prefer to avoid potential congestion on the interstates, try to time your departure to steer clear of peak morning or evening commute hours. This route’s simplicity is its biggest advantage, so keep your itinerary light and enjoy the ease of travel.
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 59.6 miles from Anniston, AL, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.7 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tuscaloosa, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anniston, 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 Anniston, AL
This is one driving day of about 119.1 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Anniston, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 75.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.5 and 119.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
51.5 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden
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 136
Toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden
6
51.8 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 459 South: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 459 South: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
8
81 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
8
116 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
119.1 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.99 one way
$35.97 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.75
$39.49
premium
$4.56
$21.38
$42.75
diesel
$5.61
$26.30
$52.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.7
0
$12.51
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.42
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.67
$7.62
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Anniston, AL
Morning
in Anniston on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Morning
in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
5 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
2h 15m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 57.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 89% of your trip consists of high-speed travel. The drive is defined by a significant 75.7-mile stretch on I-20, which acts as the backbone of your journey before you transition onto the Albert P. Brewer Highway. While the route is efficient, be prepared for the steady, rhythmic nature of interstate driving that dominates the landscape. Because this is a high-speed transit route, you will find consistent pavement conditions that allow for steady pacing behind the wheel. The personality of this drive is strictly functional, prioritizing speed and connectivity as you move through the region.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 119.1 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: at 51.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Anniston, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Gadsden along the way.
Anniston is a town of 22,000 people (2018) on the slope of the Blue Mountain in Alabama. It has several historic sites from the civil rights campaign of the 1960s.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 119.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.7 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tuscaloosa, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument and Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tuscaloosa, AL before heading back.
