How far is Cottonwood, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 222.8 miles (358.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 199.6 miles (321.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The capital of Alabama.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood and Tuscaloosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Tuscaloosa.
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1
Start on Sealy Wells Road
85 m · 10 sec · Sealy Wells Road
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2
Turn straight onto Cottonwood Road
2064 ft · 1 min · Cottonwood Road
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Cottonwood Road
11.1 mi · 17 min · Cottonwood Road
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4
Turn left onto Ross Clark Circle
6.5 mi · 10 min · Ross Clark Circle
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5
Turn left onto Montgomery Highway
5.2 mi · 8 min · Montgomery Highway
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6
Continue straight
2980 ft · 39 sec
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7
Continue straight
16 mi · 21 min
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8
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 24 min
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9
Continue straight
2262 ft · 35 sec
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10
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 7 min
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11
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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12
Continue straight
2531 ft · 56 sec
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13
Continue straight
2938 ft · 1 min
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14
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
-
15
Continue straight
859 ft · 15 sec
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16
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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19
Continue straight
36.1 mi · 43 min
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20
Turn left onto South Boulevard
10.1 mi · 15 min · South Boulevard
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Birmingham Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Birmingham Highway
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22
Continue on Memorial Drive
2 mi · 3 min · Memorial Drive
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23
Turn left
156 m · 8 sec
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24
Continue straight
86.6 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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25
Take the exit slight left
94 m · 11 sec
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26
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Old Montgomery Highway
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27
Turn left onto Skyland Boulevard East
1650 ft · 42 sec · Skyland Boulevard East
-
28
Turn right
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
29
Continue straight
2011 ft · 33 sec
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30
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
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31
Turn right onto University Boulevard
87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard
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32
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Tuscaloosa.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Memorial Drive
Continue straight
86.6 mi · 01h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Partly Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Tuscaloosa?
The road trip is about 222.8 miles (358.6 km) and usually takes 04h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Montgomery is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.2 miles from Cottonwood and 112.6 miles from Tuscaloosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 199.6 miles (321.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.77 one way or $59.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cottonwood and Partly Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Stop Ideas Near Montgomery
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 Montgomery.
Montgomery, AL
Selma, AL
Marion, AL
Camden, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 199.6 mi (321.23 km).
#1 Cottonwood
Town in Houston County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 1,247 |
| Coordinates | 31.0487900, -85.3049300 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| 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: 359 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.77 | $59.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $33.48 | $66.95 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $36.35 | $72.71 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $42.56 | $85.12 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.