Traveling from Newton to Tuscaloosa covers 192.3 miles across Alabama, taking approximately 4 hours and 12 minutes of drive time. This highway-focused route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making it perfect for those looking to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $29 for fuel to complete the journey. By sticking primarily to US 82, US 231, and South Boulevard, you will navigate through the heart of the Southeast. It is a straightforward transit between the two regions, offering a practical way to cross the state efficiently.
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
96.2 miles from Newton, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 82
86.7 mi
1h 51m
US 231
74 mi
1h 31m
South Boulevard
10.1 mi
15m
AL 123
7 mi
12m
Birmingham Highway
3.7 mi
5m
South US Highway 231
3.2 mi
5m
US 11
2.4 mi
2m
Memorial Drive
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 86.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newton, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Callaway Street
244 ft·10 sec·Callaway Street
2
Turn straight onto AL 123; AL 134
7.0 mi·12 min·AL 123; AL 134
3
Turn slight left onto US 231; AL 123
3.2 mi·5 min·South US Highway 231
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on US 231; AL 27
1.5 mi·2 min·US 231; AL 27
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 231
21 mi·24 min·US 231
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 231; AL 10
7
Continue on US 231; AL 10
5.1 mi·6 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.1 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.5 mi·55 sec·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.7 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 231; AL 10
13
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi·2 min·US 231; AL 10
15
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi·3 min·US 231
16
Continue on US 231
36 mi·42 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21
10 mi·15 min·South Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
3.7 mi·5 min·Birmingham Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 31
2.0 mi·2 min·Memorial Drive
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto US 82; AL 14
513 ft·7 sec·US 82; AL 14
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 82; AL 14
87 mi·1 hr 51 min·US 82; AL 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
308 ft·10 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi·2 min·Old Montgomery Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi·41 sec·Skyland Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto US 11; AL 69
2.4 mi·2 min·US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
27
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes just over four hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits you best. You will likely only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs or grab a snack, keeping your travel time close to the 4-hour and 12-minute estimate. Because the route relies heavily on major roads like US 82 and US 231, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach Tuscaloosa. Make sure to factor the $29 fuel cost into your overall travel budget before you head out. Planning your single stop mid-way through the 86.7-mile stretch on US 82 is the best way to maintain your momentum throughout the day.
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 96.2 miles from Newton, AL, or about 2h 7m 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 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 Newton, 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 Newton, AL
This is one driving day of about 192.3 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Newton, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 94.4 and 192.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
94.4 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
100.1 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.
5
186.8 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
192.2 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
192.3 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.04 one way
$58.08 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.88
$63.76
premium
$4.56
$34.52
$69.03
diesel
$5.61
$42.46
$84.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.7
0
$20.19
$9.23
Efficient EV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
EV Truck/SUV
76.9
0
$26.92
$12.31
Gas CO2
67 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Newton, AL
Night
in Newton on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Night
in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°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 cooler 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, as roughly 90% of your time will be spent on highways. You will experience a mix of road types, transitioning through local stretches before settling into the rhythm of major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted portion of the drive spans 86.7 miles on US 82, which provides a consistent pace for the bulk of your travels. While the drive is focused on main roads, the character of the journey remains steady and predictable. You can anticipate a reliable, highway-oriented experience that prioritizes steady progress over technical maneuvering.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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 around 94.4 miles in near US 31 / Birmingham Highway.
Driving Effort4/10
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 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 94.4 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.1 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here; at 186.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
507 ft164 ft
Total Climb
451 ft
Total Descent
552 ft
Highest Point
507 ft
~41.2 mi in
Elevation Range
343 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 192.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
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: at 94.4 miles (US 31 / Birmingham Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.1 miles (US 82; AL 14): Lane positioning matters here; at 186.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
