Origin
Huguley, AL
Late night in Huguley on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Huguley, 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
3h 37m
Distance
181.1 mi
291 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Huguley, AL
İdil Çelikler
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Huguley, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is 181.1 miles and takes about 3h 37m via US 280 and I-20, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a primarily highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, offering a practical way to travel between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.5 miles from Huguley, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 99.8 mi | 2h 4m |
| I 20 | 33.7 mi | 36m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 19.2 mi | 20m |
| I 85 | 17.6 mi | 18m |
| Birmingham Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| I 359 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Gateway Drive | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South Phillips Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 99.8 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huguley, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Cusseta Road
36 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cusseta Road
2
Turn left onto CR 208
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Phillips Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I-85 South: Montgomery
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 85
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
285 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto US 280
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Gateway Drive
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 280
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Birmingham Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 280
99 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
US 280
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 459 South
11
Merge onto I 459
19 mi
·
20 min
·
John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 11; AL 5
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 20; I 59; US 11; AL 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
17
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1-day recommendation and 3h 37m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning allows for a relaxed arrival in Tuscaloosa with plenty of time to spare. While the drive is manageable in one go, consider a brief stop midway if needed, though the data suggests only one is necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 99.8-mile stretch on US 280, as services might be less frequent compared to interstate exits. The $27 fuel cost is a good estimate for budgeting this efficient, highway-centric trip.
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 90.5 miles from Huguley, AL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.8 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 40 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.5 miles or 1h 51m 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 1m
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 Huguley, 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 Huguley, AL
This is one driving day of about 181.1 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Huguley, 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 280 for about 99.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.5 miles from Huguley, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 280 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.8 miles.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 19.5 and 181.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19.5 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
US 280
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280 toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
8
143 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
8
177.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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
181 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
181.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.35 one way
$54.70 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $30.02 | $60.05 |
| premium | $4.56 | $32.51 | $65.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.98 | $79.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.3 | 0 | $19.02 | $8.69 |
| Efficient EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.85 | $7.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.35 | $11.59 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Late night in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Vincent, AL
91 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
3h 37m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 124.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly a highway experience, with 95% of the journey on main roads like US 280 and I-20. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 99.8 miles on US 280, which forms the bulk of your travel before merging onto I-20. The John M. Harbert III Freeway is the final segment into Tuscaloosa. Given the highway focus, anticipate consistent speeds and efficient travel for most of the 3h 37m duration.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.8 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.5 miles in near US 280.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 181.1 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 19.5 miles (US 280): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
On the drive from Huguley, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Birmingham
19.1 mi in
|
~21m
|
via US 280
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 3h 37m. Total distance: 181.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.8 miles on US 280. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.5 miles (US 280): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tuscaloosa, AL
More from Huguley, AL
More trips to Tuscaloosa, AL
Explore more options from Huguley, AL or browse trips ending in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.