Origin
Montgomery, AL
Morning in Montgomery on Tuesday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montgomery, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
104.4 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Montgomery to Tuscaloosa is 104.4 miles and takes about 2h 16m via US 82, I 65, and US 11, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting two cities in the Southeast region. Expect a largely highway experience, making it a straightforward drive. With only a couple of hours on the road, it’s a convenient option for a same-day trip. You’ll spend most of your time on major roadways, so it’s a practical choice for efficient travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Montgomery, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 82 | 89.2 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 65 | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| US 11 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Old Montgomery Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Cobbs Ford Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East South Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 85 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 89.2 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on South Union Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Union Street
2
Turn left onto East South Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East South Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
4
Merge onto I 85
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 85
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
6
Merge onto I 65; US 82
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
I 65; US 82
7
Take the exit onto US 82
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 82
Toward 82: Millbrook, Prattville
8
Turn left onto US 82
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cobbs Ford Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 82; AL 14
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on US 82; AL 14
87 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
US 82; AL 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
308 ft
·
10 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Montgomery Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Skyland Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto US 11; AL 69
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 359; AL 69
16
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 16m duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, or leave after lunch and still have plenty of daylight. It's advisable to fill up your fuel tank before leaving Montgomery, as the estimated fuel cost is $16 for the 104.4 miles. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep an eye out for services along I-65 and US 82 if you need a break. The 89.2-mile stretch on US 82 is quite long, so plan accordingly for any needs before beginning that segment.
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 52.2 miles from Montgomery, AL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.2 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 8m 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 51m
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 Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, AL
This is one driving day of about 104.4 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Montgomery, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 82 for about 89.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.2 miles from Montgomery, 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 89.2 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 104.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East South Street
Turn left onto East South Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
8.8 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 82
Take the exit onto US 82 toward 82: Millbrook, Prattville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 82: Millbrook, Prattville
6
104.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
104.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.77 one way
$31.53 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $17.31 | $34.62 |
| premium | $4.56 | $18.74 | $37.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.05 | $46.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.96 | $5.01 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.62 | $6.68 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Morning in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday
Local time
6:04 AM
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 95% highway, meaning you'll be on major roads for almost the entire 104.4 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 89.2 miles on US 82. You’ll experience a lot of cruising with relatively few turns until you transition to surface roads closer to your destination. Expect to see frequent exits and entrances as you navigate the interstate system.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.2 mi on US 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East South Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 104.4 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 0.1 miles (East South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8.8 miles (US 82): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Montgomery, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward 82: Millbrook and Prattville.
82: Millbrook
8.8 mi in
|
~11m
|
via US 82
Prattville
8.8 mi in
|
~11m
|
via US 82
About the Cities
Starting in Montgomery, AL
Full guide →Montgomery is the capital of Alabama, in the River Heritage region of the state. Montgomery has also been recognized nationally for its downtown revitalization and new urbanism projects.
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 2h 16m. Total distance: 104.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m 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 89.2 miles on US 82. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8.8 miles (US 82): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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