This 139.7-mile drive from Lineville, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL takes approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes and is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. Primarily utilizing I-20 and the John M. Harbert III Freeway, with a section of Highway 77, you'll experience an 85% highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this route offers an efficient way to travel between the Southeast regions. The drive is straightforward, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between these Alabama cities.
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
69.8 miles from Lineville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
64.1 mi
1h 8m
John M. Harbert III Freeway
28.4 mi
30m
Highway 77
11.2 mi
15m
Ashland Highway
11 mi
14m
AL 77
9.9 mi
14m
State Route 9
3.4 mi
5m
I 359
2.2 mi
2m
Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 64.1 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lineville, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on AL 49
31 ft·2 sec·Cheaha Road
2
Turn right onto AL 9
0.2 mi·20 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on AL 9
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
4
Continue on AL 9
3.2 mi·4 min·State Route 9
5
Continue on AL 9
1.0 mi·1 min·1st Avenue
6
Continue on AL 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·State Route 9
7
Turn slight right onto AL 77
11 mi·15 min·Highway 77
8
Continue on AL 77
11 mi·14 min·Ashland Highway
9
Turn right onto AL 77
0.7 mi·1 min·Haynes Street
10
Turn left onto East Battle Street
1.2 mi·2 min·East Battle Street
11
Turn right onto AL 77
0.8 mi·1 min·South East Street
12
Turn left
0.8 mi·58 sec
13
Continue on AL 77
9.9 mi·14 min·AL 77
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I-20 West: BirminghamUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto I 20
30 mi·32 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 136Toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, GadsdenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 459 South: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
18
Merge onto I 459
28 mi·30 min·John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
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
Given the manageable 2-hour and 48-minute duration, this drive from Lineville to Tuscaloosa is ideal for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you can easily plan your fuel and rest breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 64.1-mile stretch on I-20, as services might be less frequent than in more urban areas. The estimated fuel cost of $21 makes budgeting straightforward for this trip.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.8 miles from Lineville, AL, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.1 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 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.8 miles or 1h 29m 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 19m
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 Lineville, 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 Lineville, AL
This is one driving day of about 139.7 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Lineville, 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 I 20 for about 64.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.5 and 139.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
41.5 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the ramp toward I-20 West: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-20 West: Birmingham
8
72 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden
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 136
Toward I 459: Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden
8
101.5 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
136.5 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
139.6 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.10 one way
$42.20 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$23.16
$46.32
premium
$4.56
$25.07
$50.15
diesel
$5.61
$30.84
$61.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.71
Efficient EV
34.9
0
$12.22
$5.59
EV Truck/SUV
55.9
0
$19.56
$8.94
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lineville, AL
Morning
in Lineville on Sunday
Local time
11:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Morning
in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
11:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Vincent, AL
70 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
3 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 48m 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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 77.1
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 38.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 85% of the drive taking place on major roads like I-20. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 64.1 miles on I-20, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. While largely interstate, the inclusion of Highway 77 and the John M. Harbert III Freeway may introduce slightly varied driving conditions as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a drive where efficiency is key, with minimal winding or challenging local roads.
85% 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: 64.1 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.5 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 16 significant decision points across 139.7 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 41.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Lineville, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Gadsden along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 139.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.1 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.
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 41.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Freedom Riders 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.
