Flint City to Tuscaloosa is 130 miles and takes about 2 hours 27 minutes via I 65 and I 20, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major interstates, making it a practical option for a quick transition between these two cities. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to cover the distance without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
65 miles from Flint City, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
62.4 mi
1h 7m
I 20
52.8 mi
57m
6th Avenue Southeast
8.3 mi
12m
I 359
2.2 mi
2m
Thompson Road
1.2 mi
2m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.5 mi
1m
University Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 62.4 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flint City, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on US 31
8 ft·3 sec·6th Avenue Southeast
2
Continue on US 31
8.3 mi·12 min·6th Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto Thompson Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Thompson Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
5
Merge onto I 65
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 261CToward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
11
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi·57 min·I 20; I 59
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
With a drive time under 2.5 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility for your departure time. You should plan for just one day of travel, as the 130 miles can be covered comfortably. Given the $20 fuel cost estimate, it's wise to fill up before you leave Flint City or at a convenient point along I 65. You won't need extensive stops, but a quick break around the halfway mark might be a good idea. Pay attention to exit signs as you near Tuscaloosa to ensure you take the correct route off the interstate.
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 65 miles from Flint City, AL, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.4 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65 miles or 1h 14m 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
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 Flint City, 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 Flint City, AL
This is one driving day of about 130 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Flint City, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 62.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 68.5 and 130 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
69 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
69.5 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
8
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
130 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.63 one way
$39.27 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$21.55
$43.10
premium
$4.56
$23.33
$46.67
diesel
$5.61
$28.70
$57.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39
0
$13.65
$6.24
Efficient EV
32.5
0
$11.38
$5.20
EV Truck/SUV
52
0
$18.20
$8.32
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 19, 2026
Origin
Flint City, AL
Morning
in Flint City on Tuesday
Local time
7:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Morning
in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday
Local time
7:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Kimberly, AL
65 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 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 27m 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.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 90% of this 130-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 62.4 miles on I 65. Expect to transition from the interstate to surface roads, specifically 6th Avenue Southeast, as you approach Tuscaloosa. Given the highway percentage, be prepared for typical interstate driving conditions, including potential merging traffic as you get closer to the urban areas.
90% 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: 62.4 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.5 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 14 significant decision points across 130 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 68.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Flint City, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 130 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.4 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 68.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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.
