How far is Alabaster, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?

The driving distance from Alabaster, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 66.2 miles (106.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.6 miles (70.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
66.21 mi
01h 02m
Flight
43.58 mi
70.13 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Alabaster.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.58 mi
Kilometers
70.13 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
66.21 mi
Kilometers
106.56 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tuscaloosa
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 AM CDT
Return by in Alabaster
Thu, Apr 23, 1:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Alabaster
2026-04-22T23:27
Arrive Tuscaloosa
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Alabaster
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lake View
AL

City of Iowa, USA

From Alabaster
28 mi
00h 31m
To Tuscaloosa
38.3 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Alabaster and Tuscaloosa.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster and Tuscaloosa.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    91 m · 24 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 2nd Place Northwest

    56 m · 13 sec · 2nd Place Northwest

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 1st Street North

    1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Street North

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Industrial Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Industrial Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 9th Street Northwest

    1.3 km · 2 min · 9th Street Northwest

  6. 6

    Turn left onto County Road 58

    1.3 mi · 3 min · County Road 58

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road 17

    2919 ft · 1 min · County Road 17

  8. 8

    Continue on County Road 52

    4.8 mi · 9 min · County Road 52

  9. 9

    Continue on Morgan Road

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Morgan Road

  10. 10

    Take the ramp left toward I 459 South: Tuscaloosa

    1250 ft · 31 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto John M. Harbert III Freeway

    5.8 mi · 6 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    33.7 mi · 36 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa

    2219 ft · 42 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    2011 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

    2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

  18. 18

    Turn right onto University Boulevard

    87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard

  19. 19

    Turn left

    51 m · 12 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Alabaster and Tuscaloosa.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 20 West
35 mi · 53%
John M. Harbert III Freeway
5.78 mi · 9%
County Road 52
4.85 mi · 7%
Morgan Road
2.65 mi · 4%
I 359 North
2.6 mi · 4%
County Road 58
1.28 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 20 West

Merge slight left

33.7 mi · 00h 36m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.6 mi
43.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake View
00h 31m from Alabaster
Leave By
4:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Alabaster and Mostly Sunny near Tuscaloosa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Alabaster to Tuscaloosa?

The road trip is about 66.2 miles (106.6 km) and usually takes 01h 02m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lake View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28 miles from Alabaster and 38.3 miles from Tuscaloosa.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 43.6 miles (70.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.86 one way or $17.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alabaster and Mostly Sunny near Tuscaloosa.

Stop Ideas Near Lake View

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lake View, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake View.

BUS

Brent, AL

36 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Birmingham

40 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

41 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
BUS

Marion, AL

74 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Alabaster and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 43.58 mi (70.13 km).

Alabaster

#1 Alabaster

Suburb city of Birmingham, located in Shelby County, Alabama, United States

Population33,701
Coordinates33.2442800, -86.8163800
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Tuscaloosa

#2 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Population102,819
Coordinates33.2098400, -87.5691700
Altitude68
CountryUnited States
Start: (-86.816657, 33.244315)
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 107 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.34 gal
8.84 L · about $8.86
Round trip
$17.72
4.68 gal · 17.68 L
Estimated CO2
20.8 kg one way
Round trip: 41.6 kg / 92 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $8.86 $17.72
Mid-grade $4.26 $9.97 $19.93
Premium $4.63 $10.82 $21.65
Diesel $5.42 $12.67 $25.34

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Alabama · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Alabaster and Tuscaloosa. The current time is 23:27:07.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.