Origin
Good Hope, AL
Evening in Good Hope on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Good Hope, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
99.2 mi
160 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Good Hope, AL
DS stories
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 99.2-mile journey from Good Hope, AL, to Tuscaloosa, AL, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. You'll primarily navigate I-65 and I-20, with a portion on Heroes Highway, covering about 59% of the route on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this drive offers a straightforward path through Alabama's Southeast region. It's an uncomplicated route well-suited for a single day's travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.6 miles from Good Hope, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 52.8 mi | 57m |
| Heroes Highway | 37.3 mi | 39m |
| I 65 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| I 359 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| County Road 437 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| AL 69 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 52.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Good Hope, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on AL 69
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
County Road 437
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the ramp onto AL 69
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
AL 69
Toward I 65 South, AL 69 South: Birmingham
3
Merge onto I 65; AL 69
37 mi
·
39 min
·
Heroes Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 261C
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
9
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
13
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 50-minute duration for this 99.2-mile trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps after the longest stretch of 52.8 miles on I-20. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $15. For a smooth arrival in Tuscaloosa, consider timing your departure to avoid peak local traffic, especially as you approach the city limits.
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 49.6 miles from Good Hope, AL, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.8 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 22 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.6 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
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 Good Hope, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Good Hope, AL
This is one driving day of about 99.2 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Good Hope, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 52.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.6 miles from Good Hope, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 37.7 and 99.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
37.7 mi into trip
|
~40m 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
38.3 mi into trip
|
~41m 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
38.8 mi into trip
|
~42m 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
96.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m 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
99.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.98 one way
$29.96 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $16.45 | $32.89 |
| premium | $4.56 | $17.81 | $35.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.90 | $43.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.42 | $4.76 |
| Efficient EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.68 | $3.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.89 | $6.35 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Evening in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
1h 50m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 44.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, featuring both interstate cruising and some local road segments. The majority of your time will be spent on highways, with a significant 52.8-mile stretch on I-20 providing uninterrupted travel. While much of the drive is on faster roads like I-65 and I-20, the inclusion of Heroes Highway adds a different character. This blend means you'll experience varying speeds and road conditions, keeping the drive engaging without being overly demanding.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.8 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Good Hope, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Fultondale
37.7 mi in
|
~40m
Montgomery
38.8 mi in
|
~42m
About the Cities
Arriving in Tuscaloosa, AL
Full guide →Tuscaloosa is a city of over 100,000 people (2020) in Metropolitan Alabama and home of the University of Alabama.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 99.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.8 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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