How far is Creola, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?

The driving distance from Creola, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 179.7 miles (289.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
179.68 mi
03h 14m
Flight
162.51 mi
261.53 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Creola.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.51 mi
Kilometers
261.53 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
179.68 mi
Kilometers
289.17 km
Drive Time
03h 14m

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 03h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tuscaloosa
Wed, May 13, 12:07 AM CDT
Return by in Creola
Wed, May 13, 3:21 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Creola
2026-05-12T20:53
Arrive Tuscaloosa
Wed, May 13, 12:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:32 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Creola
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Sweet Water
AL

Town

From Creola
92.3 mi
01h 37m
To Tuscaloosa
87.4 mi
01h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
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 Creola and Tuscaloosa.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    81.6 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  2. 2

    Merge slight left

    24 mi · 27 min

  3. 3

    Turn left

    17.2 mi · 20 min

  4. 4

    Turn left

    1.5 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Continue on South Cedar Avenue

    1 mi · 1 min · South Cedar Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Capitol Street

    736 ft · 14 sec · East Capitol Street

  7. 7

    Turn right

    24.3 mi · 34 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue

    601 ft · 27 sec · 1st Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Tuscaloosa Street

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Tuscaloosa Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto M L King Highway

    1.2 mi · 3 min · M L King Highway

  11. 11

    Take the ramp right

    1148 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    25.8 mi · 28 min

  13. 13

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

    1062 ft · 36 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    2011 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

    2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

  17. 17

    Turn right onto University Boulevard

    87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn left

    51 m · 12 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
M L King Highway
27.2 mi · 15%
Tuscaloosa Street
4.59 mi · 3%
I 359 North
2.65 mi · 1%
South Cedar Avenue
1.03 mi · 1%
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.48 mi
East Capitol Street
0.14 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Start on the route

81.6 mi · 01h 34m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 14m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.2 mi
162.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sweet Water
01h 37m from Creola
Leave By
10:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Creola and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 179.7 miles (289.2 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?

Sweet Water is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.3 miles from Creola and 87.4 miles from Tuscaloosa.

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

The direct path is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.2 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 10:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.01 one way or $48.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Sweet Water

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

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

BUS

Thomasville, AL

21 mi away
34390 US Highway 43
BUS

Grove Hill, AL

46 mi away
430 South Jackson Street
BUS

Camden, AL

57 mi away
8 Claiborne Street \r\n8 Claiborne Street \r\n
BUS

Jackson, AL

61 mi away
3603 North College Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Creola and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 162.51 mi (261.53 km).

Creola

#1 Creola

City in Mobile County, Alabama, United States

Population2,032
Coordinates30.8918500, -88.0397200
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Tuscaloosa

#2 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Population102,819
Coordinates33.2098400, -87.5691700
Altitude68
CountryUnited States
Start: US 43 (-88.039724, 30.891851)
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 289 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.34 gal
24 L · about $24.01
Round trip
$48.02
12.68 gal · 48 L
Estimated CO2
56.3 kg one way
Round trip: 112.7 kg / 248 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $24.01 $48.02
Mid-grade $4.26 $27.00 $54.00
Premium $4.63 $29.32 $58.64
Diesel $5.42 $34.33 $68.66

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 Creola and Tuscaloosa. The current time is 20:53:01.

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.