Florala, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is 215.3 miles and takes about 4h 31m via US 82 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region towards another part of the Southeast. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll spend most of your time on the highway, making it a straightforward transit. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct way to get between these two points with minimal fuss.
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
107.6 miles from Florala, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 82
86.7 mi
1h 51m
I 65
53.7 mi
57m
Lockala Avenue
21.7 mi
30m
AL 55
19.9 mi
23m
Mobile Road
9.3 mi
11m
South Boulevard
4.7 mi
7m
River Falls Street
3.9 mi
6m
Birmingham Highway
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 86.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-359
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,412 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~125 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.3×
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 Florala, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Wall Street
98 ft·11 sec·Wall Street
2
Turn sharp left onto US 331; SR 55
0.5 mi·52 sec·5th Avenue
3
Continue on AL 55
0.5 mi·44 sec·Lockhart Boulevard
4
Continue on AL 55
22 mi·30 min·Lockala Avenue
5
Turn left onto AL 55
1.9 mi·2 min·AL 55
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 29; AL 55
2.7 mi·4 min·Western Bypass
7
Continue on US 29; AL 55
469 ft·16 sec·River Falls Street
8
Continue on US 84; AL 55
3.8 mi·6 min·River Falls Street
9
Turn right onto AL 55
18 mi·20 min·AL 55
10
Continue on US 31; AL 55
9.3 mi·11 min·Mobile Road
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 65
54 mi·57 min·I 65
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 168Toward US 80, US 82
14
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21
4.7 mi·7 min·South Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
3.7 mi·5 min·Birmingham Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 31
2.0 mi·2 min·Memorial Drive
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
513 ft·7 sec·US 82; AL 14
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 82; AL 14
87 mi·1 hr 51 min·US 82; AL 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
308 ft·10 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi·2 min·Old Montgomery Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi·41 sec·Skyland Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto US 11; AL 69
2.4 mi·2 min·US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
24
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Florala in the morning is a good idea, giving you ample daylight to reach Tuscaloosa. With a total duration of around 4.5 hours, you might not need a full stop, but a brief break around the halfway mark could be refreshing. Keep an eye on your fuel level, as the estimated cost is $31, and it's always wise to fill up before you're running on fumes. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready, but aim to leave before late afternoon to avoid driving after dark.
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 107.6 miles from Florala, AL, or about 2h 10m 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 47 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.6 miles or 2h 10m 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 40m
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 Florala, 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 Florala, AL
This is one driving day of about 215.3 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Florala, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 215.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue
Turn sharp left onto US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 80, US 82
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 168
Toward US 80, US 82
6
112.7 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 80; US 82; AL 21 / South Boulevard
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21 / South Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
215.2 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
215.3 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.89 one way
$59.78 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$33.44
$66.88
premium
$4.29
$36.36
$72.71
diesel
$4.80
$40.65
$81.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.6
0
$22.61
$10.33
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.84
$8.61
EV Truck/SUV
86.1
1
$30.14
$13.78
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Florala, AL
Late night
in Florala on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:33PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Late night
in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:33PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
4h 31m 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 be on highways for about 76% of this 215.3-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 86.7 miles on US 82. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads, likely around Lockala Avenue, as you approach your destination. The prevalence of highway driving means you'll experience more consistent speeds for the majority of the trip.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 I 65. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 31m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 112.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles (US 80; US 82; AL 21 / South Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 86.7 miles on US 82. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
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: near the start (US 331; SR 55 / 5th Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 112.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles (US 80; US 82; AL 21 / South Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
