Origin
Red Bay, AL
Night in Red Bay on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Red Bay, 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
2h 25m
Distance
110.8 mi
178 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Bay, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 111.6-mile drive from Red Bay, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is a straightforward, single-day trip that takes about 2 hours to complete. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with no highway driving involved, making it a more connected experience with the communities you pass through. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $17, which is quite economical for a day trip. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to focus on the travel itself without needing to plan for an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, keeping the travel geographically consistent.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.4 miles from Red Bay, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 22 | 31.2 mi | 33m |
| US 43 | 28.6 mi | 39m |
| AL 13 | 22.7 mi | 31m |
| Alabama Highway 19 | 22.2 mi | 30m |
| 11th Street East | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Main Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 22
— 31.2 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Bay, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on 4th Street Southeast
108 ft
·
6 sec
·
4th Street Southeast
2
Turn right onto AL 19
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
4th Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto AL 19
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
11th Street East
4
Continue on AL 19
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Alabama Highway 19
5
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 19
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Alabama Highway 19
6
Turn right onto AL 74
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
AL 74
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-22 East: Birmingham
8
Merge onto I 22; US 78
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 22; US 78
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 39
Toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
10
Turn right onto AL 13
23 mi
·
31 min
·
AL 13
11
Continue on US 43
29 mi
·
39 min
·
US 43
12
Continue on Main Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Avenue
13
Turn left onto 5th Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
5th Street
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
15
Merge onto US 43; AL 69
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
16
Turn left onto University Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
University Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left
168 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
This 2-hour drive from Red Bay to Tuscaloosa is ideal for an early start to maximize your day, especially since it's a short trip with no major stretches to break up. Plan for a fuel budget of roughly $17 for the 111.6 miles. Since you'll be on local roads for the entire route with a 'turn-heavy' profile, keep an eye on your GPS and be prepared for frequent adjustments. There are no designated stops listed, so feel free to pull over when you see something that catches your eye, but don't feel pressured to make a stop given the short duration.
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 55.4 miles from Red Bay, AL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.2 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 24 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.4 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 56m
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 Red Bay, 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 Red Bay, AL
This is one driving day of about 110.8 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Red Bay, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 22 for about 31.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.4 miles from Red Bay, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 and 110.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 19 / 11th Street East
Turn right onto AL 19 / 11th Street East
Navigation decision point
6
56.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 39
Toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
5
110.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
University Boulevard
Turn left onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
110.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.73 one way
$33.47 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $18.37 | $36.74 |
| premium | $4.56 | $19.89 | $39.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.46 | $48.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.63 | $5.32 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.69 | $4.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.51 | $7.09 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Night in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Texas, AL
55 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
2h 25m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, covering 111.6 miles in approximately 2 hours. With a 0% highway share, you'll be on surface streets and local highways for the entire journey. There isn't a 'longest stretch' to note, implying frequent turns and intersections that keep you engaged with the road. This type of driving profile means you'll likely experience a varied pace, from navigating town centers to cruising along rural roads, offering a close-up view of Alabama's landscape and communities.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.2 mi on I 22.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and US 43. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast.
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 2h 25m drive. You will face about 12 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 (AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (AL 19 / 11th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 56.4 miles: 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.
On the drive from Red Bay, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Eldridge along the way.
Eldridge
56.4 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 110.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.2 miles on I 22. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 (AL 19 / 4th Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (AL 19 / 11th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 56.4 miles: 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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