Origin
Level Plains, AL
Afternoon in Level Plains on Friday
Local time
1:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Level Plains, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
189.8 mi
305 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 13m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 22m
12 PM
4h 19m
3 PM
4h 23m
5 PM
4h 38m
8 PM
4h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Level Plains, AL
Nishant Vyas
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
The drive from Level Plains, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 189.8 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 82, US 231, Neil Metcalf Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.7 miles on US 82. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.80 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
94.9 miles from Level Plains, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 82 | 86.7 mi | 1h 51m |
| US 231 | 43.2 mi | 52m |
| Neil Metcalf Road | 22.8 mi | 34m |
| South Boulevard | 10.1 mi | 15m |
| AL 167 | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Birmingham Highway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US 84 | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Boll Weevil Circle | 3.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 86.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-359
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,407 veh/hr typical · worst 2,814
Quietest
2 AM
~125 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Level Plains, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Joe Bruer Road
54 ft
·
5 sec
·
Joe Bruer Road
2
Turn right onto County Road 1
409 ft
·
19 sec
·
County Road 1
3
Turn right onto US 84; AL 134
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 84; AL 134
4
Turn right onto US 84; AL 167
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Boll Weevil Circle
5
Turn right onto AL 167
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Neal Metcalf Road
6
Continue on AL 167
23 mi
·
34 min
·
Neil Metcalf Road
7
Turn slight left onto AL 167
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
AL 167
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 231; AL 10
12
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231
13
Continue on US 231
36 mi
·
42 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21
10 mi
·
15 min
·
South Boulevard
Use the left 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
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 94.9 miles from Level Plains, AL, or about 2h 9m 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 42 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.9 miles or 2h 9m 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 27m
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 Level Plains, 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 Level Plains, AL
This is one driving day of about 189.8 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Level Plains, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.9 miles from Level Plains, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.7 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 189.8 — 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
|
County Road 1
Turn right onto County Road 1
Navigation decision point
5
91.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
US 31 / Birmingham Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 31 / Birmingham Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
97.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
US 82; AL 14
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
189.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
189.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.80 one way
$55.61 round trip
$3.72/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $30.87 | $61.74 |
| premium | $4.49 | $33.52 | $67.04 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $41.84 | $83.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.93 | $9.11 |
| Efficient EV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.61 | $7.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.57 | $12.15 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Afternoon in Tuscaloosa on Friday
Local time
1:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
1 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 12m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
189.8 mi in 4h 12m, mostly highway — 86.7 mi of that is on US 82.
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 US 231. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near County Road 1.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 12m drive. You will face about 13 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 (County Road 1): Navigation decision point; at 91.8 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 97.5 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
510 ft
164 ft
Total Climb
525 ft
Total Descent
622 ft
Highest Point
510 ft
~40.9 mi in
Elevation Range
346 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Level Plains, AL
Full guide →Arriving in Tuscaloosa, AL
Full guide →Founded 1819
Tuscaloosa is a city of over 100,000 people (2020) in Metropolitan Alabama and home of the University of Alabama.
Top landmarks
- • Gorgas-Manly Historic District — historic district in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- • Pinehurst Historic District — historic district in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- • Audubon Place Historic District — historic district in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
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 4h 12m. Total distance: 189.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.7 miles on US 82. 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.
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 (County Road 1): Navigation decision point; at 91.8 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 97.5 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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