If you are planning a trip from Tuscaloosa to Ardmore, Alabama, you can expect a straightforward journey covering 163.7 miles. The drive typically takes about 3 hours and 1 minute, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes I-359, I-20, and I-65 to navigate across the Southeast region. Budgeting approximately $25 for fuel should cover your travel costs, provided your vehicle maintains standard efficiency. Because this trip is designed as a single-day excursion, you have the flexibility to head out early and arrive well before sunset. This is a practical, no-nonsense path for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two Alabama locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.8 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
103.8 mi
1h 52m
I 20
52.9 mi
56m
I 359
2 mi
2m
7th Street
2 mi
3m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
0.5 mi
1m
Ardmore Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
6th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
University Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 103.8 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Ardmore, AL.
1
Start on this road
132 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto University Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·University Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.3 mi·24 sec·I 359; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69
1.7 mi·1 min·I 359; US 11; AL 69
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 20; I 59
53 mi·56 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
149 ft·3 sec
Exit 124CToward I 65 North: Huntsville
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·25 sec·this road
Exit 124BToward I 65 North: Huntsville
11
Merge onto I 65
104 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 365Toward 53: Ardmore
13
Keep slight right at fork
153 ft·2 sec
Exit 365Toward 53: Ardmore
14
Turn slight right onto AL 53
2.0 mi·3 min·7th Street
15
Turn left onto AL 53
427 ft·8 sec·1st Avenue West
16
Turn right onto AL 53
0.3 mi·34 sec·6th Street
17
Turn left onto AL 53
0.5 mi·1 min·Ardmore Avenue
18
At end of road, turn left onto TN 7
137 ft·4 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
TN 7
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short three-hour trek, you can easily complete the journey with just one scheduled stop to stretch your legs. Aim to depart mid-morning to avoid potential commuter traffic near the major interchanges where I-20 and I-65 meet. While the $25 fuel budget is a solid baseline, it is always a good idea to check your tank before merging onto the long 103.8-mile stretch of I-65 to avoid unnecessary detours. Take advantage of the route's simplicity by keeping your itinerary flexible; since you aren't dealing with a multi-day haul, you have plenty of time to build in a comfortable break whenever you feel the need for a quick rest.
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 81.8 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.8 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.8 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ardmore, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tuscaloosa, 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 Tuscaloosa, AL
This is one driving day of about 163.7 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Tuscaloosa, 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 I 65 for about 103.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 163.7 — 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|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
Turn left onto US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
160.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 53: Ardmore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 365
Toward 53: Ardmore
6
163.7 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|TN 7 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto TN 7 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.72 one way
$49.45 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$27.14
$54.28
premium
$4.56
$29.38
$58.76
diesel
$5.61
$36.14
$72.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.1
0
$17.19
$7.86
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
EV Truck/SUV
65.5
0
$22.92
$10.48
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 16, 2026
Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Night
in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ardmore, AL
Night
in Ardmore on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Kimberly, AL
82 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
33 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
3h 1m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 97% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 103.8 miles along I-65. Because the vast majority of the mileage is interstate-based, the drive is characterized by consistent speeds and predictable traffic flow rather than technical turns or local backroads. You won't find much variation in the road surface or character, making this a reliable, albeit utilitarian, transit route. It is the type of drive where you can lock in your cruise control and focus on the miles ahead.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.8 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 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 near University Boulevard.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 163.7 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 (University Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
986 ft225 ft
Total Climb
1,337 ft
Total Descent
688 ft
Highest Point
986 ft
~109.1 mi in
Elevation Range
761 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 163.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m 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 103.8 miles on I 65. 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 Ardmore, 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 (University Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Ardmore, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
