This 124.9-mile drive from Tuscaloosa to Choccolocco, Alabama, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, you'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between these two Southeast locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this route is quite budget-friendly. The overall feel is that of a functional, highway-focused commute, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.4 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
84.7 mi
1h 30m
John M. Harbert III Freeway
28.5 mi
30m
DeArmanville Road
2.5 mi
4m
I 359
2 mi
2m
US 78
2 mi
2m
Old Choccolocco Road
1.6 mi
2m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
0.5 mi
1m
Leon Smith Parkway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 84.7 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-459
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 73 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,498 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~206 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Choccolocco, 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
34 mi·36 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 106Toward I 459 North: Gadsden, AtlantaUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 459
29 mi·30 min·John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 29Toward I 20: Birmingham, AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: AtlantaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 20
51 mi·54 min·I 20
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston
15
Keep slight left at fork
202 ft·13 sec
Toward US 431 North: Oxford, AnnistonUse the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 431
0.2 mi·25 sec·Leon Smith Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·24 sec
18
Turn right onto US 78
2.0 mi·2 min·US 78
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto DeArmanville Road
0.5 mi·45 sec·DeArmanville Road
20
Keep slight right at fork onto DeArmanville Road
2.0 mi·3 min·DeArmanville Road
21
Continue on Old Choccolocco Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Old Choccolocco Road
22
Arrive at destination
Old Choccolocco Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 21-minute duration, this drive is ideal for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can leave Tuscaloosa in the morning and arrive in Choccolocco with plenty of daylight remaining. Since there are no mandated stops in the data, you can choose to refuel and rest as needed, but a single stop would likely suffice for this distance. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-20 onto local roads as you get closer to Choccolocco to ensure you don't miss your turn.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.4 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.7 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.4 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Choccolocco, 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 124.9 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 84.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 37.8 and 118.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
37.8 mi into trip|~42m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106
Toward I 459 North: Gadsden, Atlanta
8
66.9 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 20: Birmingham, Atlanta
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 29
Toward I 20: Birmingham, Atlanta
7
67 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Atlanta
9
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward US 431 North: Oxford, Anniston
7
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|US 431 / Leon Smith Parkway
Turn left onto US 431 / Leon Smith Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.20 one way
$38.39 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$21.23
$42.47
premium
$4.65
$22.85
$45.70
diesel
$5.35
$26.31
$52.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.5
0
$13.11
$6.00
Efficient EV
31.2
0
$10.93
$5.00
EV Truck/SUV
50
0
$17.49
$7.99
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of May 28, 2026
Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Afternoon
in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
4:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 27 at 3:00PM CDT until May 30 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Choccolocco, AL
Afternoon
in Choccolocco on Wednesday
Local time
4:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog
0 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 27 at 3:00PM CDT until May 30 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
68°F
Mountain Brook, AL
62 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
3 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 21m 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.
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...
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 60.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the journey taking place on major roads like I-20 and John M. Harbert III Freeway. You'll encounter one significant stretch of uninterrupted driving for 84.7 miles on I-20, offering a consistent pace. While the majority is highway, you'll transition to local roads like DeArmanville Road as you approach your destination. This combination means you'll experience the efficiency of interstate travel for most of the drive, with a brief shift to more local road conditions closer to Choccolocco.
94% 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: 84.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 37.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 124.9 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 37.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
682 ft225 ft
Total Climb
711 ft
Total Descent
265 ft
Highest Point
682 ft
~80.3 mi in
Elevation Range
457 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tuscaloosa, AL and Choccolocco, AL, road signs point toward Atlanta and Anniston.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 124.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.7 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Choccolocco, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument and Birmingham Civil Rights 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 Choccolocco, AL before heading back.
