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Trip from Summerdale, 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

4h 43m

Distance

231.8 mi

373 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 30m ★
6 AM
4h 43m
8 AM
5h 10m
10 AM
4h 53m
12 PM
4h 50m
3 PM
4h 54m
5 PM
5h 9m
8 PM
4h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Summerdale, AL, AL

Summerdale, AL

Robert So

Downtown Tuscaloosa, AL, AL

Tuscaloosa, AL

Kelly

Trip Overview

Embark on a straightforward 231.8-mile journey from Summerdale, AL, to Tuscaloosa, AL, a drive that will take approximately 4 hours and 43 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 95% of the travel occurring on major roads like US 43, I-10, and I-20. With a fuel cost estimated around $35, this trip is very manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent experience as you travel north through Alabama. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B 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

115.9 miles from Summerdale, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 43 148.8 mi 2h 57m
I 20 25.8 mi 27m
I 10 16 mi 17m
AL 59 12.2 mi 18m
I 65 9.2 mi 10m
Tuscaloosa Street 4.6 mi 6m
I 165 4.5 mi 5m
I 359 2.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 43 — 148.8 mi, about 2h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Summerdale, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.

1

Start on Northeast 1st Street

236 ft · 15 sec · Northeast 1st Street
2

Turn left onto East Jackson Avenue

286 ft · 14 sec · East Jackson Avenue
3

Turn right onto CR 71

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Northwest 1st Street
4

Keep slight left at fork onto West Shriver Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Shriver Avenue
5

At end of road, turn right onto AL 59

12 mi · 18 min · AL 59
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
7

Merge onto I 10

16 mi · 17 min · I 10
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Toward US 90, US 98: Government Street
9

Keep slight left at fork

183 ft · 5 sec
10

Continue on US 98

385 ft · 12 sec · US 98
11

Continue on US 98

0.6 mi · 1 min · Bankhead Tunnel
12

Continue on US 98

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Government Street
13

Continue on Government Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Government Street
14

Turn left onto South Water Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · South Water Street
15

Continue on US 90; US 98 Truck

482 ft · 11 sec · Telegraph Road
16

Turn straight onto I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck

4.5 mi · 5 min · I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 33 sec
Exit 1B Toward I 65: Montgomery
18

Merge onto I 65

9.2 mi · 10 min · I 65
19

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward 430: Creola
21

Keep slight left at fork

124 ft · 3 sec
Toward 430: Creola
22

Merge onto US 43

82 mi · 1 hr 34 min · US 43
23

Merge onto US 43

24 mi · 27 min · US 43
24

Turn left onto US 43

17 mi · 19 min · US 43
25

Turn left onto US 43; US 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 43; US 80
26

Continue on US 43

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Cedar Avenue
27

Turn left onto US 43

0.1 mi · 13 sec · East Capitol Street
28

Turn right onto US 43

24 mi · 34 min · US 43
29

Turn right onto 1st Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 1st Avenue
30

Turn right onto US 11; US 43

4.6 mi · 6 min · Tuscaloosa Street
31

Turn left onto CR 208

1.2 mi · 2 min · M L King Highway
32

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
33

Merge onto I 20; I 59

26 mi · 27 min · I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 71B Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

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.
36

Continue on I 359; AL 69

0.4 mi · 33 sec · I 359; AL 69
37

Continue on US 43; AL 69

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
38

Turn right onto University Boulevard

284 ft · 10 sec · University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
39

Turn left

168 ft · 12 sec
Use the left lane.
40

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 43-minute duration, starting your drive from Summerdale in the morning is advisable to allow for a full day upon arrival in Tuscaloosa. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed without significantly impacting your travel time. Keep an eye on fuel, especially before embarking on the 148.8-mile stretch on US 43, as services can sometimes be more spaced out on these longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost of $35 makes this a budget-friendly day trip, so focus on enjoying the drive rather than worrying about expenses.

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 115.9 miles from Summerdale, AL, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.8 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 51 miles or 1h 6m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 115.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 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 Summerdale, 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 Summerdale, AL

This is one driving day of about 231.8 miles and 4h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Summerdale, 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 43 for about 148.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Thomasville, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Thomasville, AL

116 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

Pennsylvania, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Thomasville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 115.9 miles from Summerdale, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 148.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Glory Bound Gyro Co.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.8

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12053490505

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

2.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Monarch Espresso

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 231.8

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+12052108751

Visit website

Strange Brew Coffeehouse Bama

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

1 mi

Exploreum Science Center & PCI Digital Dome Theater

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mobile, Alabama

2.3 mi

Glory Bound Gyro Co.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12053490505

Visit website

Swen Chinese Restaurant

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12053919887

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12057525100

Visit website

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux - Tuscaloosa Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12057222045

Visit website

Whataburger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12053494506

Visit website

Felix's Fish Camp Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 33.1

Spanish Fort, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12516266710

Visit website

Glencoe's Gladden Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Monarch Espresso

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+12052108751

Visit website

Strange Brew Coffeehouse Bama

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 5:30 am–12 pm

+12054697250

Visit website

Exploreum Science Center & PCI Digital Dome Theater

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 33.1

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12512086893

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 33.1

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 16.6

Spanish Fort, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 16.6

Daphne, Alabama

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 16.6

Daphne, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Livingston Charge Port Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Robertsdale, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 33.1

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 33.1

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 16.6

Daphne, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Children's Hands-On Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+12053494235

Visit website

Kentuck Art Center & Festival

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 231.8

Northport, Alabama

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+12057581257

Visit website

Alligator Alley

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Summerdale, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12519462483

Visit website

Paul W. Bryant Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12053484668

Visit website

Alabama Museum of Natural History

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 231.8

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+12053487550

Visit website

Bienville Square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 33.1

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12512081600

Visit website

Mobile Carnival Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 33.1

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: Closed

+12514323324

Visit website

Van De Graaff Park and Arboretum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 231.8

Northport, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12055623220

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 231.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 71 / Northwest 1st Street

Turn right onto CR 71 / Northwest 1st Street

Navigation decision point

6
36.2 mi into trip | ~49m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 1B Toward I 65: Montgomery
8
228.5 mi into trip | ~4h 38m 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
231.7 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in | University Boulevard

Turn right onto University Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
231.7 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.01 one way

$70.01 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $38.43 $76.86
premium $4.56 $41.61 $83.21
diesel $5.61 $51.18 $102.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.5 0 $24.34 $11.13
Efficient EV 58 0 $20.28 $9.27
EV Truck/SUV 92.7 1 $32.45 $14.84

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 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

Summerdale, AL

Late night in Summerdale on Sunday

Local time

5:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tuscaloosa, AL

Late night in Tuscaloosa on Sunday

Local time

5:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 0 to 5 mph 7% chance Live forecast

78°F

Thomasville, AL

116 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

7 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

4h 43m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is largely defined by its highway-focused profile, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads. Expect to cover 148.8 miles on US 43 as the longest uninterrupted stretch, giving you ample opportunity to maintain a steady pace. The inclusion of I-20 and I-10 further solidifies the highway nature of this drive. While not explicitly scenic, the consistent highway travel allows for a predictable and efficient journey from the Gulf Coast region towards Central Alabama.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.8 mi on US 43.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and I 20. 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 CR 71 / Northwest 1st Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 231.8 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 (CR 71 / Northwest 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 36.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 228.5 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 Summerdale, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward 430: Satsuma, Creola and 430: Creola.

430: Satsuma

45.9 mi in | ~59m

Creola

45.9 mi in | ~59m

430: Creola

46 mi in | ~1h

About the Cities

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 4h 43m. Total distance: 231.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 43m 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 148.8 miles on US 43. 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: at 0.1 miles (CR 71 / Northwest 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 36.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 228.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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