How far is Columbiana, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance from Columbiana, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 78.3 miles (126 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbiana and Tuscaloosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbiana and Tuscaloosa.
-
1
Start on South Main Street
15 m · 9 sec · South Main Street
-
2
Turn left onto West College Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · West College Street
-
3
Continue on Alabama Highway 70
1.1 km · 1 min · Alabama Highway 70
-
4
Turn right onto County Road 26
9.2 mi · 15 min · County Road 26
-
5
Turn right onto 1st Street South
2 mi · 3 min · 1st Street South
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward I-65 North: Birmingham
1628 ft · 40 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
11 mi · 12 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
1318 ft · 32 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 459 South: Tuscaloosa
1.2 km · 2 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto John M. Harbert III Freeway
14.5 mi · 16 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
1.2 mi · 3 min
-
12
Merge slight left
33.7 mi · 36 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
2219 ft · 42 sec
-
14
Merge slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
15
Continue straight
2011 ft · 33 sec
-
16
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
-
17
Turn right onto University Boulevard
87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard
-
18
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbiana and Tuscaloosa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbiana and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Tuscaloosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbiana to Tuscaloosa?
The road trip is about 78.3 miles (126 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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 39.1 miles from Columbiana and 39.2 miles from Tuscaloosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.7 miles (89.6 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 3:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.45 one way or $20.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbiana and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Tuscaloosa.
Stop Ideas Near Bessemer
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bessemer.
Birmingham
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Marion, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbiana and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 55.66 mi (89.58 km).
#1 Columbiana
City in Shelby County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 4,682 |
| Coordinates | 33.1781700, -86.6072100 |
| Altitude | 160 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tuscaloosa
The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
| Population | 102,819 |
| Coordinates | 33.2098400, -87.5691700 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $10.45 | $20.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $11.75 | $23.51 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $12.76 | $25.53 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $14.95 | $29.89 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.