This 213.7-mile drive from Daphne, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. Primarily using US 43 and I-20, with a stretch on I-65, this route keeps you on highways for 94% of the journey. Expect a fuel cost of around $32 for this trip through the Southeast. The overall feel is a straightforward, highway-focused experience, perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll find this route offers a direct path without many detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
106.9 miles from Daphne, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 43
148.8 mi
2h 57m
I 20
25.8 mi
27m
I 65
9.2 mi
10m
I 10
7.2 mi
7m
Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi
6m
I 165
4.5 mi
5m
US Highway 98
2.9 mi
5m
I 359
2.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 148.8 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Daphne, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Belrose Avenue
271 ft·19 sec·Belrose Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 98
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
3
Turn right onto Santa Rosa Avenue
159 ft·9 sec·Santa Rosa Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 98
2.9 mi·5 min·US Highway 98
5
Continue on US 90; US 98
0.1 mi·12 sec·Old Spanish Trail
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
7
Merge onto I 10
7.2 mi·7 min·I 10
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Toward US 90, US 98: Government Street
9
Keep slight left at fork
183 ft·5 sec
10
Continue on US 98
385 ft·12 sec·US 98
11
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Bankhead Tunnel
12
Continue on US 98
0.1 mi·14 sec·Government Street
13
Continue on Government Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Government Street
14
Turn left onto South Water Street
0.8 mi·2 min·South Water Street
15
Continue on US 90; US 98 Truck
482 ft·11 sec·Telegraph Road
16
Turn straight onto I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
4.5 mi·5 min·I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 65: Montgomery
18
Merge onto I 65
9.2 mi·10 min·I 65
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward 430: Creola
21
Keep slight left at fork
124 ft·3 sec
Toward 430: Creola
22
Merge onto US 43
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 43
23
Merge onto US 43
24 mi·27 min·US 43
24
Turn left onto US 43
17 mi·19 min·US 43
25
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
0.9 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
26
Continue on US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cedar Avenue
27
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
28
Turn right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·US 43
29
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
30
Turn right onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·Tuscaloosa Street
31
Turn left onto CR 208
1.2 mi·2 min·M L King Highway
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
33
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi·27 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
2.1 mi·2 min·I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
37
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
38
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
39
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 20-minute drive, starting early in the morning is a good strategy to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Tuscaloosa. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of nearly 150 miles, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Plan your fuel stops strategically; while the estimated cost is $32, keeping an eye on your gauge is always wise. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from US 43 to I-20, as this is where you'll see the most significant change in road type and speed.
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 106.9 miles from Daphne, AL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.8 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.9 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 32m
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 Daphne, 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 Daphne, AL
This is one driving day of about 213.7 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Daphne, 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 43 for about 148.8 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 213.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward US 90, US 98: Government Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 90, US 98: Government Street
6
18.2 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 65: Montgomery
8
210.5 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
6
213.7 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
213.7 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.27 one way
$64.55 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$35.43
$70.86
premium
$4.56
$38.36
$76.71
diesel
$5.61
$47.18
$94.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.1
0
$22.44
$10.26
Efficient EV
53.4
0
$18.70
$8.55
EV Truck/SUV
85.5
1
$29.92
$13.68
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 16, 2026
Origin
Daphne, AL
Morning
in Daphne on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Morning
in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
78°F
Thomasville, AL
107 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
11 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
4h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 94% of the miles on major roads like US 43, I-65, and I-20. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 148.8 miles on US 43. This means you'll experience extended periods of consistent driving speeds, characteristic of a route designed for efficient travel. While primarily highway, the transition between these roads is smooth, allowing for a continuous flow as you make your way across Alabama.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.8 mi on US 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 213.7 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 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 210.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Daphne, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward 430: Satsuma, Creola and 430: Creola.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 213.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.8 miles on US 43. 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.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 210.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
