Fairhope, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is 219.9 miles and takes about 4h 30m via US 43 and I-20/I-65, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Southeast region of Alabama to another part of the same state. With 94% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct trip. This is a solid choice for a single-day excursion, especially if you're looking for a straightforward drive without many complicated turns or 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
110 miles from Fairhope, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m 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
US Highway 98
7.6 mi
12m
I 10
7.2 mi
7m
Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi
6m
I 165
4.5 mi
5m
I 359
2.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 148.8 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,576 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,017
Quietest
2 AM
~183 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 100 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 Fairhope, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on CR 98
109 ft·11 sec·Fairhope Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 98
1.6 mi·4 min·North Section Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Homestead Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Homestead Avenue
4
Continue on Homestead Avenue
0.4 mi·56 sec·Homestead Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 98
0.2 mi·29 sec·Old Spanish Trail
6
Continue on US 98
7.6 mi·12 min·US Highway 98
7
Continue on US 90; US 98
0.1 mi·12 sec·Old Spanish Trail
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
9
Merge onto I 10
7.2 mi·7 min·I 10
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Toward US 90, US 98: Government Street
11
Keep slight left at fork
183 ft·5 sec
12
Continue on US 98
385 ft·12 sec·US 98
13
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Bankhead Tunnel
14
Continue on US 98
0.1 mi·14 sec·Government Street
15
Continue on Government Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Government Street
16
Turn left onto South Water Street
0.8 mi·2 min·South Water Street
17
Continue on US 90; US 98 Truck
482 ft·11 sec·Telegraph Road
18
Turn straight onto I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
4.5 mi·5 min·I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 65: Montgomery
20
Merge onto I 65
9.2 mi·10 min·I 65
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward 430: Creola
23
Keep slight left at fork
124 ft·3 sec
Toward 430: Creola
24
Merge onto US 43
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 43
25
Merge onto US 43
24 mi·27 min·US 43
26
Turn left onto US 43
17 mi·19 min·US 43
27
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
0.9 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
28
Continue on US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cedar Avenue
29
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
30
Turn right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·US 43
31
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
32
Turn right onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·Tuscaloosa Street
33
Turn left onto CR 208
1.2 mi·2 min·M L King Highway
34
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
35
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi·27 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
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.
38
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
39
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
40
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
41
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
42
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 30m estimated drive time, leaving Fairhope in the morning should allow you to reach Tuscaloosa well before evening. The route has a $32 fuel cost estimate, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, especially considering the 148.8-mile stretch on US 43 where services might be less frequent. While this is a manageable one-day trip, consider a brief stop around the halfway point if needed. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have flexibility to depart a bit later if your morning is busy.
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 110 miles from Fairhope, AL, or about 2h 15m 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 48 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110 miles or 2h 15m 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 41m
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 Fairhope, 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 Fairhope, AL
This is one driving day of about 219.9 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Fairhope, 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 17.5 and 219.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.5 mi into trip|~26m 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
24.4 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 65: Montgomery
8
216.7 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
219.8 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.23 one way
$68.46 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.74
$75.48
premium
$4.71
$40.79
$81.57
diesel
$6.18
$53.49
$106.99
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: 76.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66
0
$23.09
$10.56
Efficient EV
55
0
$19.24
$8.80
EV Truck/SUV
88
1
$30.79
$14.07
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Fairhope, AL
Morning
in Fairhope on Tuesday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Morning
in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
74°F
Thomasville, AL
110 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
1 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 30m 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?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the 219.9 miles on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway driving on US 43 for 148.8 miles. Expect a consistent cruising experience for most of the trip, with fewer exits and more open road until you get closer to your destination. The transition to surface roads will occur late in the drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 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 17.5 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 219.9 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 216.7 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
313 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
460 ft
Total Descent
356 ft
Highest Point
313 ft
~105 mi in
Elevation Range
315 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairhope, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward 430: Satsuma, Creola and 430: Creola.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 219.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m 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.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 216.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
