Traveling from Smoke Rise to Tuscaloosa covers 85 miles of Alabama terrain, typically requiring about 1 hour and 23 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the journey. Since both points are located within the Southeast region, the climate and general landscape remain consistent throughout the drive. It is an ideal route if you are looking for a straightforward, direct connection between these two locations without the need for multiple stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.9 miles from Smoke Rise, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
52.8 mi
57m
I 65
21.9 mi
24m
I 359
2.2 mi
2m
Smoke Rise Trail
1.4 mi
5m
Crosshill Lane
0.9 mi
3m
Crosshill Trail
0.6 mi
2m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.5 mi
1m
Ridge Trail
0.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 52.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smoke Rise, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on this road
157 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Crosshill Lane
0.9 mi·3 min·Crosshill Lane
3
At end of road, turn right onto Crosshill Trail
0.6 mi·2 min·Crosshill Trail
4
Turn right onto Ridge Trail
0.1 mi·26 sec·Ridge Trail
5
Continue on Ridge Trail
0.1 mi·35 sec·Ridge Trail
6
Turn left onto Scenic Trail
0.2 mi·48 sec·Scenic Trail
7
Turn left onto Smoke Rise Trail
0.4 mi·1 min·Smoke Rise Trail
8
Continue on Smoke Rise Trail
0.9 mi·3 min·Smoke Rise Trail
9
At end of road, turn right onto AL 160
0.2 mi·24 sec·AL 160
10
Enter roundabout onto US 31
199 ft·5 sec·US 31
11
Continue on US 31
254 ft·6 sec·US 31
12
Enter roundabout onto US 31
223 ft·6 sec·US 31
13
Continue on US 31
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 31
14
Enter roundabout
250 ft·4 sec
15
Continue
0.2 mi·29 sec
16
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 65
3.7 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 261CToward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
22
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi·57 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
26
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with no mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads requires your full attention, so aim to drive during daylight hours to navigate the curves comfortably. Budgeting $13 for fuel should be more than sufficient for the trip, but it is always wise to fill up before you leave Smoke Rise to avoid searching for stations along the local route. Given the absence of scheduled stops, pack your own refreshments to enjoy at your leisure. Taking advantage of the short travel time allows you to maximize your day once you arrive in Tuscaloosa.
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 41.9 miles from Smoke Rise, AL, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.8 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 18 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 56m 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 28m
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 Smoke Rise, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Smoke Rise, AL
This is one driving day of about 83.7 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Smoke Rise, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 52.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 80.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.6 mi into trip|~13m in|US 31
Enter roundabout onto US 31
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
3.7 mi into trip|~14m in|US 31
Enter roundabout onto US 31
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
22.2 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
22.7 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
8
80.6 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.64 one way
$25.28 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$13.88
$27.75
premium
$4.56
$15.02
$30.05
diesel
$5.61
$18.48
$36.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.1
0
$8.79
$4.02
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.32
$3.35
EV Truck/SUV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Smoke Rise, AL
Afternoon
in Smoke Rise on Sunday
Local time
1:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Afternoon
in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
1:09 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
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
1h 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate primarily via Crosshill Lane, Crosshill Trail, and Ridge Trail to reach your destination. The lack of high-speed interstate segments means your focus will remain on local roads for the entire 85-mile duration. Because the route is composed of winding local stretches, be prepared for a more engaged driving experience compared to a standard freeway slog. This journey maintains a consistent, technical pace from start to finish.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.8 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.7 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.7 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Smoke Rise, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 83.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.8 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.7 miles (US 31): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
