If you are planning to travel from Brundidge to Tuscaloosa, you are looking at a 161.4-mile trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. This journey stays entirely within Alabama, transitioning through the Southeast region on a route that is well-suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to complete the drive comfortably. Because the trip is relatively straightforward, most travelers prefer to knock it out in one go rather than splitting it over multiple days. It serves as a practical, highway-focused connection between these two points, making it a reliable option for your itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.7 miles from Brundidge, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 82
86.7 mi
1h 51m
US 231
52.5 mi
1h 5m
South Boulevard
10.1 mi
15m
Birmingham Highway
3.7 mi
5m
US 11
2.4 mi
2m
Memorial Drive
2 mi
2m
Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi
2m
South A. Graham Boulevard
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 86.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brundidge, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on AL 10
0.3 mi·25 sec·South A Graham Boulevard
2
Continue on AL 10
0.6 mi·55 sec·South A. Graham Boulevard
3
Turn right onto US 231
0.5 mi·39 sec·US 231
Toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
4
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 231; AL 10
5
Continue on US 231; AL 10
5.1 mi·6 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.1 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.5 mi·55 sec·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.7 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 231; AL 10
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi·2 min·US 231; AL 10
13
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi·3 min·US 231
14
Continue on US 231
36 mi·42 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21
10 mi·15 min·South Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
3.7 mi·5 min·Birmingham Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 31
2.0 mi·2 min·Memorial Drive
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
513 ft·7 sec·US 82; AL 14
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 82; AL 14
87 mi·1 hr 51 min·US 82; AL 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
308 ft·10 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi·2 min·Old Montgomery Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi·41 sec·Skyland Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto US 11; AL 69
2.4 mi·2 min·US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
25
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a manageable 3.5-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, which will keep you alert during the longer highway segments. Since you are spending roughly $25 on fuel, it is wise to check your levels before merging onto the longer stretches of US 82 to avoid unnecessary detours. Keep an eye on the transition between South Boulevard and the primary highways, as these urban-to-rural shifts can occasionally see changes in traffic density. By staying mindful of your fuel and pacing, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single, stress-free morning or afternoon.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.7 miles from Brundidge, AL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.7 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 36 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.7 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 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 Brundidge, 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 Brundidge, AL
This is one driving day of about 161.4 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Brundidge, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 82 for about 86.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 161.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|US 231
Turn right onto US 231 toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 231 North, AL 10 West: Troy
5
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 31 / Birmingham Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 31 / Birmingham Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
69.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 82; AL 14
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
161.3 mi into trip|~3h 29m in|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
161.4 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.38 one way
$48.75 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.76
$53.52
premium
$4.56
$28.97
$57.94
diesel
$5.61
$35.64
$71.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.4
0
$16.95
$7.75
Efficient EV
40.4
0
$14.12
$6.46
EV Truck/SUV
64.6
0
$22.60
$10.33
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Brundidge, AL
Night
in Brundidge on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Night
in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph7% chanceLive 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
35 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
3h 30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as 88% of your journey takes place on highways. You will navigate a combination of US 82, US 231, and South Boulevard to reach your destination. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves an 86.7-mile stretch on US 82, which serves as the backbone of this route. While the road is designed for consistent movement, be prepared for the shift from local streets to the faster-paced highway environment. This creates a steady, predictable pace that allows you to cover the distance without the fatigue of constant, technical maneuvering.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.7 mi on US 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US 231. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 231.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 231): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.5 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
520 ft186 ft
Total Climb
418 ft
Total Descent
666 ft
Highest Point
520 ft
~115.3 mi in
Elevation Range
335 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 161.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 86.7 miles on US 82. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 231): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.5 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
