If you are planning a trip from Tuscaloosa to Cleveland, Alabama, you can expect a straightforward 95.4-mile journey that takes approximately two hours. Because this is a compact drive, it works perfectly as a simple day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily utilize I-20, New Bradford Highway, and Pinson Valley Parkway to navigate through the Southeast. Budgeting around $15 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. This route is entirely contained within Alabama, offering a predictable travel experience that connects the two areas efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.7 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
56.3 mi
1h 1m
New Bradford Highway
21.7 mi
30m
Pinson Valley Parkway
10.4 mi
16m
I 359
2 mi
2m
Vanderbilt Road
1.5 mi
2m
AL 160
0.8 mi
1m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
0.5 mi
1m
New Bradford Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 56.3 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Cleveland, 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
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 128Toward AL 79: Tallapoosa StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward AL 79Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto AL 79
0.1 mi·18 sec·Tallapoosa Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on AL 79
1.5 mi·2 min·Vanderbilt Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on AL 79
10 mi·16 min·Pinson Valley Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on AL 79
0.3 mi·28 sec·New Bradford Road
15
Continue on AL 79
22 mi·30 min·New Bradford Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto AL 160
19 ft·0 sec·AL 160
17
Continue on AL 160
0.8 mi·1 min·AL 160
Use the straight lane.
18
Arrive at destination
AL 160
Trip Plan
Since the trip is only two hours long, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic. You likely won't need scheduled stops for a drive of this length, but it is wise to fuel up in Tuscaloosa where you can easily manage your $15 budget. Keep a close eye on your transition points, specifically when moving from the interstate onto the Pinson Valley Parkway, as road types change quickly. Because this is a single-day journey, you can comfortably make the round trip without feeling fatigued. Pack some water and snacks to keep in the car, as the 56.3-mile stretch on I-20 offers limited opportunities to pull over for a quick break.
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 47.7 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.3 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.7 miles or 54m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, 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 95.4 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 56.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 60.4 — 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
60 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 128
Toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street
7
60.4 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AL 79
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward AL 79
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.41 one way
$28.82 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.82
$31.63
premium
$4.56
$17.12
$34.25
diesel
$5.61
$21.06
$42.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.6
0
$10.02
$4.58
Efficient EV
23.9
0
$8.35
$3.82
EV Truck/SUV
38.2
0
$13.36
$6.11
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 15, 2026
Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Night
in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
10:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cleveland, AL
Night
in Cleveland on Saturday
Local time
10:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Birmingham, AL
48 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 95.4-mile trek is a highway-focused drive, with 73% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 56.3 miles while cruising along I-20 before transitioning to more local roads. The character of the drive shifts from high-speed interstate transit to the more measured pace of the New Bradford Highway and Pinson Valley Parkway. Expect a mix of fast-paced highway driving and the transition into regional thoroughfares as you approach your destination. It is a functional route designed for efficiency rather than leisure, keeping you moving steadily toward Cleveland.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and New Bradford Highway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near University Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
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 95.4 miles you will encounter 10 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
674 ft225 ft
Total Climb
720 ft
Total Descent
409 ft
Highest Point
674 ft
~68.1 mi in
Elevation Range
449 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 95.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.3 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 Cleveland, 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. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cleveland, AL before heading back.
