How far is Rainbow, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance from Rainbow, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 152 miles (244.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.8 miles (187.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 25m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rainbow and Tuscaloosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rainbow and Tuscaloosa.
-
1
Start on Forrest Drive
36 m · 11 sec · Forrest Drive
-
2
Turn left onto Rainbow Circle
127 m · 18 sec · Rainbow Circle
-
3
Continue on Roema Drive
1314 ft · 1 min · Roema Drive
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Hughes Road
4.9 mi · 9 min · Hughes Road
-
5
Turn right onto Madison Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Madison Boulevard
-
6
Turn left onto Wall Triana Highway
154 m · 13 sec · Wall Triana Highway
-
7
Take the ramp slight right toward 565: Decatur
2178 ft · 53 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 9 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
864 ft · 16 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Birmingham
1.3 km · 2 min
-
11
Merge slight left
73.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
2715 ft · 38 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
2666 ft · 38 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
1940 ft · 28 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
2224 ft · 54 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 57 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
2219 ft · 42 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
20
Continue straight
2011 ft · 33 sec
-
21
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
-
22
Turn right onto University Boulevard
87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard
-
23
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rainbow and Tuscaloosa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 65 South
Merge slight left
73.7 mi · 01h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Rainbow and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rainbow to Tuscaloosa?
The road trip is about 152 miles (244.7 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?
Kimberly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.7 miles from Rainbow and 76.3 miles from Tuscaloosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.8 miles (187.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.23 one way or $42.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rainbow and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Stop Ideas Near Kimberly
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
marrion city hall
Tarrant City Hall
Brookside Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kimberly.
Birmingham
Anniston
Tuscaloosa
Brent, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rainbow and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 116.79 mi (187.95 km).
#1 Rainbow
Rainbow is a place in Alabama, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.7525900, -86.7363900 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| 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: 245 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $21.23 | $42.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.78 | $47.57 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $25.96 | $51.93 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $31.87 | $63.73 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026