Origin
Tuscaloosa, AL
Morning in Tuscaloosa on Sunday
Local time
9:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tuscaloosa, AL to Danville, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
127.1 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Danville, AL
Robert So
Trip Overview
Tuscaloosa, AL to Danville, AL is 127.1 miles and takes about 2h 25m via I 20 and I 65, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Alabama, moving you from one part of the Southeast to another. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, making it an easy option if you're looking for a simple transit between these two points. With a drive time under three hours and a minimal fuel cost, this route is best suited for a same-day journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 52.9 mi | 56m |
| I 65 | 49 mi | 53m |
| University of North Alabama Highway | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| South Danville Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| I 359 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| AL 36 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 52.9 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa, AL and Danville, 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
53 mi
·
56 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
149 ft
·
3 sec
Exit 124C
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
this road
Exit 124B
Toward I 65 North: Huntsville
11
Merge onto I 65
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 310
Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
13
Turn left onto AL 157
200 ft
·
3 sec
·
Section Line Road
14
Continue on AL 157
18 mi
·
22 min
·
University of North Alabama Highway
15
Turn right onto South Danville Road
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Danville Road
16
Turn right onto AL 36
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
AL 36
17
Arrive at destination
AL 36
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 25m drive time and 127.1 miles, this is an ideal route for a single-day trip, offering plenty of flexibility for when you depart. You can easily start in the morning and arrive in Danville with ample time for your activities. While there are no designated stops in the data, remember that I 65 is a major artery with numerous service areas for quick breaks or fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost of $19 suggests you won't need extensive refueling, but it's always wise to top off before heading out from Tuscaloosa.
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 63.6 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.9 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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.6 miles or 1h 10m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danville, 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 127.1 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 52.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.6 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 105.8 — 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.
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
105.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 310
Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.20 one way
$38.39 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $21.07 | $42.14 |
| premium | $4.56 | $22.81 | $45.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.06 | $56.12 |
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: 44.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.35 | $6.10 |
| Efficient EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.12 | $5.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.79 | $8.13 |
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.
Destination
Danville, AL
Morning in Danville on Sunday
Local time
9:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Birmingham, AL
64 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
1 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 25m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 57
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 82% of the journey on major interstates like I 20 and I 65, offering a consistent pace. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch at 52.9 miles on I 20, allowing for steady progress. The route transitions to University of North Alabama Highway as you near Danville, suggesting a shift to a more local road feel. Expect a fairly direct and functional driving experience, prioritizing efficiency over winding backroads.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 65. 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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 127.1 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 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tuscaloosa, AL to Danville, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Moulton along the way.
Moulton
105.8 mi in
|
~1h 56m
About the Cities
Starting in Tuscaloosa, AL
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 127.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.9 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 Danville, 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 Danville, AL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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