How far is Gulf Shores, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
Fastest route
The distance between Gulf Shores, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL is 204.92 miles (329.9 kilometers) by car, following the I-65 S route. The drive time is approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes. The halfway point is Greenville, AL.
Here are some recommended routes from Gulf Shores to Tuscaloosa by car:
- Route 1: 4 hours and 51 minutes, 204.92 miles
- Ala. 59 S
- I-65 S
- Route 2: 4 hours and 57 minutes, 212.7 miles
- Ala. 59 S
- US-43 S
- I-65 S
- Route 3: 5 hours and 10 minutes, 229.5 miles
- Ala. 59 S
- US-43 S
- I-20 W/I-59 S
- I-65 S
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 43m.
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.
Town in Alabama, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gulf Shores and Tuscaloosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gulf Shores and Tuscaloosa.
-
1
Start on West Beach Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · West Beach Boulevard
-
2
Turn left onto Gulf Shores Parkway
4.4 mi · 8 min · Gulf Shores Parkway
-
3
Continue on State Hwy 59
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Hwy 59
-
4
Continue on McKenzie Street
3 mi · 4 min · McKenzie Street
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on South McKenzie Street
20.6 mi · 33 min · South McKenzie Street
-
6
Take the ramp slight left
2047 ft · 52 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
16 mi · 17 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 90, US 98: Government Street
2267 ft · 43 sec
-
9
Keep slight right
113 m · 7 sec
-
10
Turn straight onto Old Spanish Trail
2.3 mi · 3 min · Old Spanish Trail
-
11
Continue on Africatown Bridge
1.4 mi · 2 min · Africatown Bridge
-
12
Continue on Africatown Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Africatown Boulevard
-
13
Turn slight right
55 m · 4 sec
-
14
Take the ramp slight right
615 ft · 12 sec
-
15
Turn straight
1419 ft · 35 sec
-
16
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on I 65: Montgomery
2562 ft · 34 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 10 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
560 ft · 14 sec
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on 430: Creola
3231 ft · 1 min
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on 430: Creola
38 m · 3 sec
-
22
Merge slight left
82.4 mi · 1 hr 34 min
-
23
Merge slight left
24 mi · 27 min
-
24
Turn left
17.2 mi · 20 min
-
25
Turn left
1.5 km · 1 min
-
26
Continue on South Cedar Avenue
1 mi · 1 min · South Cedar Avenue
-
27
Turn left onto East Capitol Street
736 ft · 14 sec · East Capitol Street
-
28
Turn right
24.3 mi · 34 min
-
29
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
601 ft · 27 sec · 1st Avenue
-
30
Turn right onto Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi · 6 min · Tuscaloosa Street
-
31
Turn left onto M L King Highway
1.2 mi · 3 min · M L King Highway
-
32
Take the ramp right
1148 ft · 28 sec
-
33
Merge slight left
25.8 mi · 28 min
-
34
Take the exit slight right toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
1062 ft · 36 sec
-
35
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
-
36
Continue straight
2011 ft · 33 sec
-
37
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
-
38
Turn right onto University Boulevard
87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard
-
39
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
-
40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gulf Shores and Tuscaloosa.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
430
Merge slight left
82.4 mi · 01h 35m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gulf Shores and Showers And Thunderstorms near Tuscaloosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gulf Shores to Tuscaloosa?
The road trip is about 274 miles (440.9 km) and usually takes 04h 43m 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?
Grove Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.9 miles from Gulf Shores and 149.1 miles from Tuscaloosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 204.9 miles (329.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 69.1 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 7:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.62 one way or $73.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Gulf Shores and Showers And Thunderstorms near Tuscaloosa.
Stop Ideas Near Grove Hill
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 Grove Hill.
Grove Hill, AL
Jackson, AL
Thomasville, AL
Camden, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gulf Shores and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 204.92 mi (329.79 km).
#1 Gulf Shores
City in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 13,166 |
| Coordinates | 30.2460400, -87.7008200 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 441 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $36.62 | $73.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $41.18 | $82.37 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $44.72 | $89.45 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $52.36 | $104.73 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.