How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Bessemer, AL?

The driving distance from Tuscaloosa, AL to Bessemer, AL is about 44.9 miles (72.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.9 miles (61 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m 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
44.93 mi
00h 51m
Flight
37.89 mi
60.98 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tuscaloosa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.89 mi
Kilometers
60.98 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.93 mi
Kilometers
72.3 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 00h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bessemer
Tue, Apr 14, 11:35 PM CDT
Return by in Tuscaloosa
Wed, Apr 15, 12:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tuscaloosa
2026-04-14T22:43
Arrive Bessemer
Tue, Apr 14, 11:35 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tuscaloosa
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
Vance
AL

Town in Alabama, United States

From Tuscaloosa
22.4 mi
00h 25m
To Bessemer
22.5 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 9:00 PM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S
Destination
85°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 4:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    40 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto University Boulevard

    718 ft · 22 sec · University Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

    2802 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    1785 ft · 25 sec

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    772 ft · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    1.2 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    40 mi · 43 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street, 19th Street

    1375 ft · 36 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 18th Street North

    1.1 mi · 2 min · 18th Street North

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North

    29 m · 4 sec · 3rd Avenue North

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Avenue North

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Tuscaloosa and Bessemer.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
43.4 mi · 97%
18th Street North
1.06 mi · 2%
18th Street
0.26 mi · 1%
University Boulevard
0.14 mi
3rd Avenue North
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

Merge slight left

40 mi · 00h 43m

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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7 mi
37.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vance
00h 25m from Tuscaloosa
Leave By
4:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Tuscaloosa and Sunny near Bessemer.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 44.9 miles (72.3 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Vance is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Tuscaloosa and 22.5 miles from Bessemer.

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

The direct path is about 37.9 miles (61 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 4:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.02 one way or $12.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Tuscaloosa and Sunny near Bessemer.

Stop Ideas Near Vance

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

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

BUS

Brent, AL

25 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

30 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Birmingham

55 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Marion, AL

60 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tuscaloosa and Bessemer. Straight-line distance: 37.89 mi (60.98 km).

Tuscaloosa

#1 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Population102,819
Coordinates33.2098400, -87.5691700
Altitude68
CountryUnited States
Bessemer

#2 Bessemer

City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States

Population26,043
Coordinates33.4017800, -86.9544400
Altitude155
CountryUnited States
Start: Tuscaloosa (-87.56917, 33.20984)
End: Bessemer (-86.95444, 33.40178)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.59 gal
6 L · about $6.02
Round trip
$12.04
3.18 gal · 12 L
Estimated CO2
14.1 kg one way
Round trip: 28.3 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $6.02 $12.04
Mid-grade $4.26 $6.77 $13.54
Premium $4.63 $7.35 $14.71
Diesel $5.42 $8.61 $17.22

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Tuscaloosa and Bessemer. The current time is 22:43:35.

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.