Traveling from Semmes to Tuscaloosa covers 223.1 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 16 minutes. Since this route is a straightforward highway-focused drive, it is easily manageable as a one-day trip. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes US 45, I-20, and Industrial Parkway to navigate through the Southeast region of Alabama. Because the drive is relatively short, you can comfortably complete the transit without needing an overnight stay, giving you plenty of flexibility in your schedule once you arrive.
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
111.6 miles from Semmes, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
123.4 mi
2h 22m
I 20
85.9 mi
1h 32m
Industrial Parkway
4.3 mi
5m
I 359
2.5 mi
2m
Moffett Road
2.4 mi
4m
Schillinger Road North
2.1 mi
3m
Newburn Road
0.9 mi
1m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 123.4 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Semmes, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on this road
118 ft·11 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right
133 ft·6 sec
3
Turn right onto US 98
2.4 mi·4 min·Moffett Road
4
Turn sharp left onto CR 31
2.1 mi·3 min·Schillinger Road North
5
Continue on Newburn Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Newburn Road
6
Turn right onto AL 158
4.3 mi·5 min·Industrial Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
8
Keep slight left at fork
167 ft·11 sec
9
Turn left onto US 45
68 mi·1 hr 18 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 45
6.1 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
1.8 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 45
6.3 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 45
5.6 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 45
4.7 mi·5 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
5.3 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 45
1.3 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 45
14 mi·15 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 20; I 59
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
2.1 mi·2 min·I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
28
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 16-minute drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 223.1-mile journey. Since the majority of your time is spent on US 45, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 123.4-mile stretch to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Leaving early in the morning is the best way to avoid peak congestion and ensure you arrive in Tuscaloosa with plenty of daylight left. Given the highway-heavy nature of this route, maintain a consistent pace and utilize your single planned stop to stretch your legs before hitting the final leg of the drive.
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 111.6 miles from Semmes, AL, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.4 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 49 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.6 miles or 2h 12m 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 31m
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 Semmes, 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 Semmes, AL
This is one driving day of about 223.1 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Semmes, 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 45 for about 123.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 223.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Tuscaloosa
8
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
6
223 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
223.1 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.69 one way
$67.39 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$36.99
$73.97
premium
$4.56
$40.04
$80.09
diesel
$5.61
$49.26
$98.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.9
0
$23.43
$10.71
Efficient EV
55.8
0
$19.52
$8.92
EV Truck/SUV
89.2
1
$31.23
$14.28
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Semmes, AL
Night
in Semmes on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Night
in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Waynesboro, MS
112 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
5 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 16m 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?
This trip is heavily weighted toward highway travel, with 97% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 45, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 123.4 miles. The drive offers a consistent, high-speed experience rather than a series of technical turns or local detours. Expect a practical, efficient transit that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity between the two Alabama cities. As you transition from the local roads onto the interstate, the pace remains steady, making it a predictable trek for those who prefer highway cruising.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.4 mi on US 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort7/10
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 223.1 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
531 ft121 ft
Total Climb
621 ft
Total Descent
640 ft
Highest Point
531 ft
~127.5 mi in
Elevation Range
409 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 223.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.4 miles on US 45. 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.
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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
