Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Late night in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Ballplay, 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 38m
Distance
134.8 mi
217 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Ballplay, AL
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
Tuscaloosa, AL to Ballplay, AL is 134.8 miles and takes about 2h 38m via I 20, I 59, and Herman Nelson Highway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This southeastern Alabama drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward trip. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, so expect efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. With a recommended one-day itinerary, this route is ideal for a quick journey or a segment of a larger road trip without requiring an overnight stay. Consider it for a practical, no-fuss drive between these two points.
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
67.4 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 58.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 59 | 51.7 mi | 55m |
| Herman Nelson Highway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| I 759 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| Centre Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| I 359 | 2 mi | 2m |
| East Meighan Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 58.2 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Ballplay, 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
58 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 182
Toward I 759: Gadsden
11
Continue on I 759
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 759
12
Continue on AL 759
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
AL 759
Toward AL 759 East: East Gadsden
13
At end of road, turn left onto AL 291
0.7 mi
·
52 sec
·
George Wallace Drive
14
Continue on AL 291
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Hood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto US 278; US 431
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Meighan Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 278
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Piedmont Cutoff Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 278
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Herman Nelson Highway
18
Turn left onto CH 65
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Alford Bend Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Main Street
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
20
Continue on County Highway 71
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
County Highway 71
21
Continue on Centre Road
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Centre Road
22
Arrive at destination
Centre Road
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short, 134.8-mile drive that can be completed in under 3 hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. A morning departure would allow you ample time to reach Ballplay, AL, with plenty of daylight remaining. With a fuel cost estimated around $20, you won't need to worry extensively about budget for gas. Plan for one primary stop, perhaps near the midpoint of your journey on I 20, to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the longest stretch on I 20, as services might be less frequent in certain sections.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.4 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.2 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 30 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.4 miles or 1h 16m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ballplay, 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 134.8 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 20 for about 58.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.4 miles from Tuscaloosa, 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 128.2 — 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.
7
61.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North: Gadsden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 North: Gadsden
6
128.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
CH 65 / Alford Bend Road
Turn left onto CH 65 / Alford Bend Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.36 one way
$40.72 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $22.35 | $44.70 |
| premium | $4.56 | $24.20 | $48.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.76 | $59.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.15 | $6.47 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.80 | $5.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.87 | $8.63 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Ballplay, AL
Late night in Ballplay on Sunday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
26 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
2h 38m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 55.8
View on nps.gov
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 125.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll encounter 58.2 miles as the longest uninterrupted stretch on I 20, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. The transition to I 59 and then onto Herman Nelson Highway will introduce slight variations, but the overall character remains that of efficient, high-speed transit. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes covering distance quickly over exploring local backroads. This highway-centric profile means you'll likely spend most of your time in the fast lane.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.2 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 59. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Boulevard.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: 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.
About the Cities
Starting 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 2h 38m. Total distance: 134.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.2 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 Ballplay, 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 and Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ballplay, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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