How far is Childersburg, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?

The driving distance from Childersburg, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 86.4 miles (139 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 70.3 miles (113.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 56m 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
86.36 mi
01h 28m
Flight
70.32 mi
113.17 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Childersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
70.32 mi
Kilometers
113.17 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
86.36 mi
Kilometers
138.99 km
Drive Time
01h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tuscaloosa
Wed, Apr 15, 11:22 PM CDT
Return by in Childersburg
Thu, Apr 16, 12:51 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Childersburg
2026-04-15T21:54
Arrive Tuscaloosa
Wed, Apr 15, 11:22 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Childersburg
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
Bessemer
AL

City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

From Childersburg
43.1 mi
00h 44m
To Tuscaloosa
43.2 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW
Destination
86°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 8th Avenue Southwest

    18 m · 8 sec · 8th Avenue Southwest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest

    1341 ft · 30 sec · 1st Street Southwest

  3. 3

    Turn right

    28.3 mi · 38 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 459 South

    2459 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto John M. Harbert III Freeway

    19.2 mi · 21 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway

  6. 6

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

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    33.7 mi · 36 min

  8. 8

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

    2219 ft · 42 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    2011 ft · 33 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

    2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

  12. 12

    Turn right onto University Boulevard

    87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn left

    51 m · 12 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Childersburg 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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
3 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 20 West
35 mi · 40%
John M. Harbert III Freeway
19.2 mi · 22%
I 359 North
2.6 mi · 3%
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.48 mi · 1%
I 459 South
0.47 mi · 1%
1st Street Southwest
0.25 mi
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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
70.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bessemer
00h 44m from Childersburg
Leave By
3:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Childersburg and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 86.4 miles (139 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?

Bessemer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.1 miles from Childersburg and 43.2 miles from Tuscaloosa.

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

The direct path is about 70.3 miles (113.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 3:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.55 one way or $23.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Bessemer

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

18 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

53 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

61 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
BUS

Marion, AL

92 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Childersburg and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 70.32 mi (113.17 km).

Childersburg

#1 Childersburg

City in Talladega County, Alabama, United States

Population4,781
Coordinates33.2781700, -86.3549800
Altitude128
CountryUnited States
Tuscaloosa

#2 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Population102,819
Coordinates33.2098400, -87.5691700
Altitude68
CountryUnited States
Start: 8th Avenue Southwest (-86.355059, 33.278151)
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 139 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.05 gal
11.54 L · about $11.55
Round trip
$23.10
6.1 gal · 23.08 L
Estimated CO2
27.1 kg one way
Round trip: 54.2 kg / 119 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $11.55 $23.10
Mid-grade $4.26 $12.99 $25.98
Premium $4.63 $14.11 $28.21
Diesel $5.42 $16.52 $33.03

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Childersburg and Tuscaloosa. The current time is 21:54:20.

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.