Tuscaloosa to Dadeville is 135.3 miles and takes about 2h 43m via US 280 and I 20, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Alabama, moving from the western part of the state to the east. Expect a route that's primarily on well-maintained highways, making for a straightforward journey. Given the relatively short duration, it's an ideal day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points. You'll find a consistent travel experience for most of the 135.3 miles.
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
67.7 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 280
64 mi
1h 19m
I 20
34.2 mi
36m
John M. Harbert III Freeway
19.1 mi
20m
United States Highway 280
12.6 mi
17m
I 359
2 mi
2m
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
0.5 mi
1m
North Broadnax Street
0.4 mi
<1m
University Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 64 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Dadeville, 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
19 mi·20 min·John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 19Toward US 280: Mountain Brook, ChildersburgUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 280 East: ChildersburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 280
13 mi·17 min·United States Highway 280
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 280
64 mi·1 hr 19 min·US 280
15
Turn right onto AL 49
0.4 mi·40 sec·North Broadnax Street
16
Turn right onto West Cusseta Street
268 ft·10 sec·West Cusseta Street
17
Turn left onto North Tallassee Street
268 ft·10 sec·North Tallassee Street
18
Turn left onto AL 49
271 ft·10 sec·West Columbus Street
19
Turn left onto AL 49
198 ft·3 sec·North Broadnax Street
20
Arrive at destination
AL 49
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 3 hours, this route offers a lot of flexibility. Consider departing Tuscaloosa mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush and arrive in Dadeville with plenty of afternoon time. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along US 280, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 64-mile stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Dadeville, as the fuel budget is estimated at $20, suggesting you might want to top off before the final leg if you're starting with less than a half-tank. Being a single-day trip, there's no need to plan for an overnight stay.
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 67.7 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.7 miles or 1h 19m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dadeville, 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 135.3 miles and 2h 43m.
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 US 280 for about 64 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 15
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.
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.
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
57.4 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19
Toward US 280: Mountain Brook, Childersburg
7
57.6 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 280 East: Childersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 280 East: Childersburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.43 one way
$40.87 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$22.43
$44.86
premium
$4.56
$24.28
$48.57
diesel
$5.61
$29.87
$59.75
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: 47.3 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
40.6
0
$14.21
$6.49
Efficient EV
33.8
0
$11.84
$5.41
EV Truck/SUV
54.1
0
$18.94
$8.66
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Late night
in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dadeville, AL
Late night
in Dadeville on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Columbiana, AL
68 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
2 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 43m 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 drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with a 97% highway share. You'll spend the majority of your time on major roads like I 20 and US 280. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64 miles on US 280, so you can settle in for a good portion of the journey. The profile is best described as a highway-focused drive, meaning you can anticipate consistent speeds and limited distractions for most of the 2 hours and 43 minutes. This makes for a predictable and efficient transit.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 20. 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.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 135.3 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: 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.
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 Dadeville, AL, road signs point toward Atlanta and Childersburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 135.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64 miles on US 280. 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 Dadeville, 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 37.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Dadeville, AL before heading back.
