How far is Elba, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance from Elba, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.9 miles (244.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 31m 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 03h 15m.
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.
City in Alabama, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elba and Tuscaloosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elba and Tuscaloosa.
-
1
Start on Simmons Street
72 m · 16 sec · Simmons Street
-
2
Turn left onto Claxton Avenue
1273 ft · 35 sec · Claxton Avenue
-
3
Keep slight right to continue on Neil Grantham Drive
3098 ft · 1 min · Neil Grantham Drive
-
4
Continue on Neal Grantham Drive
19.8 mi · 35 min · Neal Grantham Drive
-
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto AL 167 South: Enterprise
5 m · 1 sec
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on AL 167 South: Enterprise
541 ft · 22 sec
-
7
Turn slight left
7.6 mi · 11 min
-
8
Turn left
3183 ft · 1 min
-
9
Continue straight
859 ft · 15 sec
-
10
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
11
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
12
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
13
Continue straight
36.1 mi · 43 min
-
14
Turn left onto South Boulevard
10.1 mi · 15 min · South Boulevard
-
15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Birmingham Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Birmingham Highway
-
16
Continue on Memorial Drive
2 mi · 3 min · Memorial Drive
-
17
Turn left
156 m · 8 sec
-
18
Continue straight
86.6 mi · 1 hr 51 min
-
19
Take the exit slight left
94 m · 11 sec
-
20
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Old Montgomery Highway
-
21
Turn left onto Skyland Boulevard East
1650 ft · 42 sec · Skyland Boulevard East
-
22
Turn right
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
23
Continue straight
2011 ft · 33 sec
-
24
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
-
25
Turn right onto University Boulevard
87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard
-
26
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elba 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.
Partly Sunny leaving Elba and Mostly Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elba to Tuscaloosa?
The road trip is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Prattville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.9 miles from Elba and 88.8 miles from Tuscaloosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.9 miles (244.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 10:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.90 one way or $47.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Elba and Mostly Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Stop Ideas Near Prattville
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 Prattville.
Montgomery, AL
Selma, AL
Marion, AL
Brent, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elba and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 151.89 mi (244.45 km).
#1 Elba
City in Alabama, United States of America
| Population | 3,919 |
| Coordinates | 31.4146100, -86.0677200 |
| Altitude | 59 |
| 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: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $23.90 | $47.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $26.87 | $53.75 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $29.18 | $58.37 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $34.17 | $68.34 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.