How far is Cullman, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?

Fastest route

The distance between Cullman, Alabama and Tuscaloosa, Alabama is approximately 105 miles (169 kilometers). The fastest route, considering current traffic conditions, is to take I-65 S and I-20 W/I-59 S. The estimated travel time is 1 hour and 36 minutes.

Directions

  • 🚗 Get on I-65 S from 4th St SW
  • 🛣️ Head northwest on 2nd Ave SW toward 3rd St SW
  • ⬅️ Turn left at the 1st cross street onto 3rd St SW
  • ⬅️ Turn left to merge onto I-65 S
  • 🛣️ Follow I-65 S and I-20 W/I-59 S to AL-69 N in Tuscaloosa
  • ⬅️ Take exit 261C to merge onto I-20 W/I-59 S toward Tuscaloosa
  • ➡️ Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 71B to merge onto AL-69 N/I-359 N toward Tuscaloosa
  • ➡️ Continue on AL-69 N to your destination
  • ⬅️ Continue straight onto Lurleen B Wallace N Blvd
  • ⬅️ Turn left at the 1st cross street onto 24th Ave/Greensboro Ave
  • ⬅️ Turn left at the 1st cross street onto University Blvd

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🛣️ Plan your trip in advance to ensure a smooth journey.
  • 🕒 Consider checking the traffic conditions before you start your drive.
  • ⛽ It's advisable to have a full tank of gas before hitting the road.
  • 🚧 Stay alert and follow road signs and instructions while driving.
  • 📱 Keep your mobile phone fully charged and have a car charger handy.
  • 🚗 Take regular breaks to stretch your legs and stay refreshed.
  • 📝 It's always a good idea to carry a physical map or use a reliable navigation app for backup.
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
105.13 mi
01h 35m
Flight
78.65 mi
126.57 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cullman.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
78.65 mi
Kilometers
126.57 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.13 mi
Kilometers
169.19 km
Drive Time
01h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tuscaloosa
Sat, May 2, 4:15 AM CDT
Return by in Cullman
Sat, May 2, 5:50 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cullman
2026-05-02T02:39
Arrive Tuscaloosa
Sat, May 2, 4:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cullman
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
McDonald Chapel
AL

Census designated place

From Cullman
52.5 mi
00h 47m
To Tuscaloosa
52.6 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
68°F
Saturday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue Southwest

    15 m · 9 sec · 2nd Avenue Southwest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 3rd Street Southwest

    1517 ft · 33 sec · 3rd Street Southwest

  3. 3

    Continue on 4th Street Southwest

    1.6 mi · 3 min · 4th Street Southwest

  4. 4

    Turn left

    1242 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Heroes Highway

    41.3 mi · 44 min · Heroes Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale

    2715 ft · 38 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis

    2666 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery

    1940 ft · 28 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa

    2224 ft · 54 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    52.8 mi · 57 min

  12. 12

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

    2219 ft · 42 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    2011 ft · 33 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

    2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North

  16. 16

    Turn right onto University Boulevard

    87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn left

    51 m · 12 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cullman 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
18 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 20 West
53.2 mi · 51%
Heroes Highway
41.3 mi · 39%
Montgomery
4.12 mi · 4%
I 359 North
2.6 mi · 2%
4th Street Southwest
1.65 mi · 2%
I 22 West
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 20 West

Merge slight left

52.8 mi · 00h 57m

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.4 mi
78.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McDonald Chapel
00h 47m from Cullman
Leave By
3:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Cullman and Rain Showers near Tuscaloosa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?

McDonald Chapel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.5 miles from Cullman and 52.6 miles from Tuscaloosa.

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

The direct path is about 78.7 miles (126.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.4 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 3:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.05 one way or $28.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Cullman and Rain Showers near Tuscaloosa.

Stop Ideas Near McDonald Chapel

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around McDonald Chapel and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7.6 mi away

City of Adamsville City Hall

Adamsville , AL
4828 Main St, Adamsville, AL 35005
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews City government office,City clerk's office,City courthouse,City Hall,Tourist information center
West Jefferson Town Hall
Meeting point 14.7 mi away

West Jefferson Town Hall

Quinton , AL
7000 W Jefferson Rd, Quinton, AL 35130
Rating 4.6/5 16 reviews City Hall
The Preserve Town Hall
Nearby stop 9.2 mi away

The Preserve Town Hall

Hoover , AL
601 Preserve Way, Hoover, AL 35226
Rating 4.5/5 33 reviews Conference center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McDonald Chapel.

RAIL

Birmingham

12 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

66 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

69 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

103 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cullman and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 78.65 mi (126.57 km).

Cullman

#1 Cullman

City in Cullman County, Alabama, United States

Population16,564
Coordinates34.1748200, -86.8436100
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Tuscaloosa

#2 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Population102,819
Coordinates33.2098400, -87.5691700
Altitude68
CountryUnited States
Start: 2nd Avenue Southwest (-86.843695, 34.174786)
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.71 gal
14.04 L · about $14.05
Round trip
$28.10
7.42 gal · 28.08 L
Estimated CO2
33 kg one way
Round trip: 65.9 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $14.05 $28.10
Mid-grade $4.26 $15.80 $31.60
Premium $4.63 $17.16 $34.32
Diesel $5.42 $20.09 $40.18

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Cullman and Tuscaloosa. The current time is 02:39:58.

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.