How far is Bessemer, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?

The driving distance from Bessemer, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 44.8 miles (72.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.9 miles (61 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
44.81 mi
00h 44m
Flight
37.89 mi
60.98 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bessemer.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.89 mi
Kilometers
60.98 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.81 mi
Kilometers
72.12 km
Drive Time
00h 44m

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 00h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tuscaloosa
Tue, May 12, 7:45 PM CDT
Return by in Bessemer
Tue, May 12, 8:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bessemer
2026-05-12T19:00
Arrive Tuscaloosa
Tue, May 12, 7:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:45 AM to 7:45 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Bessemer
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
Vance
AL

Town in Alabama, United States

From Bessemer
22.4 mi
00h 22m
To Tuscaloosa
22.4 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 3rd Avenue North

    120 m · 23 sec · 3rd Avenue North

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 19th Street North

    1.2 mi · 3 min · 19th Street North

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    94 m · 8 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight right

    1081 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    40.1 mi · 43 min

  6. 6

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

    2219 ft · 42 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    2011 ft · 33 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

    2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

  10. 10

    Turn right onto University Boulevard

    87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn left

    51 m · 12 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
19th Street North
41.6 mi · 93%
I 359 North
2.6 mi · 6%
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.48 mi · 1%
3rd Avenue North
0.07 mi
University Boulevard
0.05 mi
Longest Stretch

19th Street North

Merge slight left

40.1 mi · 00h 43m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 44m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.9 mi
37.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vance
00h 22m from Bessemer
Leave By
7:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bessemer and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 44.8 miles (72.1 km) and usually takes 00h 44m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Vance is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Bessemer and 22.4 miles from Tuscaloosa.

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

The direct path is about 37.9 miles (61 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.98 one way or $11.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bessemer and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.

Stop Ideas Near Vance

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Vance, 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 Vance.

BUS

Brent, AL

25 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

30 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Birmingham

55 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Marion, AL

60 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bessemer and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 37.89 mi (60.98 km).

Bessemer

#1 Bessemer

City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

Population26,043
Coordinates33.4017800, -86.9544400
Altitude155
CountryUnited States
Tuscaloosa

#2 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Population102,819
Coordinates33.2098400, -87.5691700
Altitude68
CountryUnited States
Start: 3rd Avenue North (-86.954272, 33.401684)
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.58 gal
5.99 L · about $5.98
Round trip
$11.97
3.16 gal · 11.98 L
Estimated CO2
14 kg one way
Round trip: 28.1 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $5.98 $11.97
Mid-grade $4.26 $6.73 $13.46
Premium $4.63 $7.31 $14.62
Diesel $5.42 $8.56 $17.11

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Bessemer and Tuscaloosa. The current time is 19:00:11.

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.