This 244.1-mile journey from Elberta, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL takes approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes, making it a manageable day trip for most travelers. The route predominantly utilizes US 43 and I-20, with a brief segment on I-10, offering an efficient drive through the heart of Alabama. With a projected fuel cost of around $37, this trip is budget-friendly. The drive is primarily highway-focused, so expect a steady pace as you travel from the Southeast region to the same region. This route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
122 miles from Elberta, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 43
148.8 mi
2h 57m
I 20
25.8 mi
27m
I 10
21.3 mi
22m
Baldwin Beach Express
13.1 mi
18m
I 65
9.2 mi
10m
Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi
6m
I 165
4.5 mi
5m
Foley Beach Express
3.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 148.8 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,353 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,790
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elberta, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on US 98
3.1 mi·4 min·State Avenue
2
Turn right onto AL 161
3.9 mi·5 min·Foley Beach Express
3
Turn right onto AL 161
13 mi·18 min·Baldwin Beach Express
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
5
Merge onto I 10
21 mi·22 min·I 10
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Toward US 90, US 98: Government Street
7
Keep slight left at fork
183 ft·5 sec
8
Continue on US 98
385 ft·12 sec·US 98
9
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Bankhead Tunnel
10
Continue on US 98
0.1 mi·14 sec·Government Street
11
Continue on Government Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Government Street
12
Turn left onto South Water Street
0.8 mi·2 min·South Water Street
13
Continue on US 90; US 98 Truck
482 ft·11 sec·Telegraph Road
14
Turn straight onto I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
4.5 mi·5 min·I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 65: Montgomery
16
Merge onto I 65
9.2 mi·10 min·I 65
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward 430: Creola
19
Keep slight left at fork
124 ft·3 sec
Toward 430: Creola
20
Merge onto US 43
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 43
21
Merge onto US 43
24 mi·27 min·US 43
22
Turn left onto US 43
17 mi·19 min·US 43
23
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
0.9 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
24
Continue on US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cedar Avenue
25
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
26
Turn right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·US 43
27
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
28
Turn right onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·Tuscaloosa Street
29
Turn left onto CR 208
1.2 mi·2 min·M L King Highway
30
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
31
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi·27 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
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.
34
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
35
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
37
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 56 minute duration, departing Elberta, AL in the morning is recommended to maximize your daylight hours in Tuscaloosa. The single stop noted suggests you can break up the drive strategically, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on US 43. With a fuel cost estimate of $37, ensure your tank is full before leaving Elberta to avoid unnecessary detours. This route is designed for a single-day journey, so flexibility with your timing is key. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the extended 148.8-mile segment on US 43.
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 122 miles from Elberta, AL, or about 2h 26m 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 54 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Elberta, 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 Elberta, AL
This is one driving day of about 244.1 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Elberta, 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 41.6 and 244 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
41.6 mi into trip|~51m 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
48.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 65: Montgomery
8
240.8 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
244 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
244 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.89 one way
$67.77 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$37.91
$75.82
premium
$4.29
$41.22
$82.44
diesel
$4.80
$46.09
$92.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.2
0
$25.63
$11.72
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.36
$9.76
EV Truck/SUV
97.6
1
$34.17
$15.62
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 15, 2026
Origin
Elberta, AL
Morning
in Elberta on Sunday
Local time
10:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Morning
in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
10:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
0 mph84% chanceLive forecast
89°F
Thomasville, AL
122 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
2 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
4h 56m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 244.1-mile trip, with 87% of the journey on major roads like US 43 and I-20. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 148.8 miles on US 43, providing a consistent cruising experience. While primarily highway, the route offers a practical progression rather than dramatic scenic shifts. The character is one of efficient travel, designed to get you from point A to point B effectively, with a focus on maintaining speed and covering distance.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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 41.6 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 244.1 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 41.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 240.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
446 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
640 ft
Total Descent
482 ft
Highest Point
446 ft
~122 mi in
Elevation Range
449 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elberta, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward 430: Satsuma, Creola and 430: Creola.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 244.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 240.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
