Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
62.8 mi
101 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
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
Brook Highland, AL
Michał Robak
Tuscaloosa, AL to Brook Highland, AL is 62.8 miles and takes about 1h 16m via I 20, John M. Harbert III Freeway, and US Highway 280, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a drive that is primarily highway, making it a straightforward and efficient journey. With only a single day recommended, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 34.2 mi | 36m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 19.1 mi | 20m |
| United States Highway 280 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| I 359 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Brook Highland Parkway | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Kinross Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Brook Highland Trace | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Brook Highland, 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
Continue on I 459
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 280
Turn left onto Brook Highland Parkway
Turn left onto Brook Highland Drive
Turn right onto Brook Highland Trace
At end of road, turn left onto Kinross Drive
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 31.4 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 57.6 — 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 toward I 459 North: Gadsden, Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 280: Mountain Brook, Childersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 280 East: Childersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$9.48 one way
$18.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $10.41 | $20.82 |
| premium | $4.56 | $11.27 | $22.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.87 | $27.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 22 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
| Efficient EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Late night in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
2:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Brook Highland on Sunday
Local time
2:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°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.
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 94% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on I 20 and the John M. Harbert III Freeway, offering a consistent pace for most of the 62.8 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 34.2 miles on I 20, so be prepared for a significant period of consistent highway driving. While the majority is highway, the transition to United States Highway 280 introduces a slight change in character as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. 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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.8 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 37.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tuscaloosa, AL and Brook Highland, AL, road signs point toward Atlanta and Childersburg.
Atlanta
Childersburg
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 16m. Total distance: 62.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m 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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