How far is Goodwater, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?

The driving distance from Goodwater, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 112.7 miles (181.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 88.2 miles (142 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
112.67 mi
01h 56m
Flight
88.27 mi
142.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Goodwater.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
88.27 mi
Kilometers
142.05 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
112.67 mi
Kilometers
181.32 km
Drive Time
01h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tuscaloosa
Sat, Apr 18, 7:34 AM CDT
Return by in Goodwater
Sat, Apr 18, 9:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Goodwater
2026-04-18T05:38
Arrive Tuscaloosa
Sat, Apr 18, 7:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:57 AM to 11:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Goodwater
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
Vestavia Hills
AL

City in Jefferson and Shelby counties, Alabama, United States

From Goodwater
55.7 mi
00h 58m
To Tuscaloosa
56.9 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW
Destination
86°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Railroad Place

    40 m · 8 sec · Railroad Place

  2. 2

    Continue on Sylacauga Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Sylacauga Street

  3. 3

    Continue on County Road 511

    2.8 mi · 5 min · County Road 511

  4. 4

    Continue on Goodwater Highway

    8.9 mi · 16 min · Goodwater Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on South Broadway Avenue

    1.1 km · 55 sec · South Broadway Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto West Fort Williams Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · West Fort Williams Street

  7. 7

    Turn right

    37.8 mi · 50 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto I 459 South

    2459 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto John M. Harbert III Freeway

    19.2 mi · 21 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    33.7 mi · 36 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 Goodwater 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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
3 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 20 West
35 mi · 31%
John M. Harbert III Freeway
19.2 mi · 17%
Goodwater Highway
8.88 mi · 8%
County Road 511
2.81 mi · 2%
I 359 North
2.6 mi · 2%
Sylacauga Street
2.15 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

37.8 mi · 00h 50m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.5 mi
88.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vestavia Hills
00h 58m from Goodwater
Leave By
2:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Goodwater 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 Goodwater to Tuscaloosa?

The road trip is about 112.7 miles (181.3 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?

Vestavia Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.7 miles from Goodwater and 56.9 miles from Tuscaloosa.

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

The direct path is about 88.2 miles (142 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.5 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 2:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.07 one way or $30.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Vestavia Hills

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Vestavia Hills, 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 Vestavia Hills.

RAIL

Birmingham

7 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

65 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

77 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

91 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Goodwater and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 88.27 mi (142.05 km).

Goodwater

#1 Goodwater

City in Alabama, USA

Population1,288
Coordinates33.0656700, -86.0533000
Altitude256
CountryUnited States
Tuscaloosa

#2 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Population102,819
Coordinates33.2098400, -87.5691700
Altitude68
CountryUnited States
Start: Railroad Place (-86.053297, 33.065543)
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 181 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.98 gal
15.05 L · about $15.07
Round trip
$30.14
7.96 gal · 30.1 L
Estimated CO2
35.4 kg one way
Round trip: 70.7 kg / 156 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $15.07 $30.14
Mid-grade $4.26 $16.95 $33.90
Premium $4.63 $18.41 $36.82
Diesel $5.42 $21.55 $43.10

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Goodwater and Tuscaloosa. The current time is 05:38:07.

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.