Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
46.1 mi
74 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Brighton, AL
Expect Best
This 46.1-mile drive from Tuscaloosa to Brighton, Alabama, can be completed in just about 53 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, with a nearly 94% highway share, so expect a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $7, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this length. Given the short duration and straightforward path through the Southeast region, no overnight stay is necessary. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick and efficient transit between these two Alabama locations without much fuss.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 41.5 mi | 44m |
| I 359 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Huntsville Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Jaybird Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 18th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Hill Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Brighton, AL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Turn left onto US 43; AL 69
Continue on I 359; AL 69
Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Take the exit
Turn right onto 18th Avenue
Turn left onto Jaybird Road
Turn right onto Huntsville Avenue
Turn left onto Hill Street
Turn right onto Cedar Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.1 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 45.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 18th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Regular Gas
$6.96 one way
$13.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $7.64 | $15.29 |
| premium | $4.56 | $8.27 | $16.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.18 | $20.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.03 | $1.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.45 | $2.95 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Brighton on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 46.1-mile trip. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on interstates, specifically I-20 and I-359, along with Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South. With a 94% highway share, this route emphasizes speed and efficiency. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is a solid 41.5 miles on I-20. This means you'll encounter minimal traffic lights or slower local roads, allowing for a consistent driving pace for the bulk of the journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 359. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Boulevard.
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 46.1 miles you will encounter 11 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.
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 46.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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