How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Birmingham, AL?

The driving distance from Tuscaloosa, AL to Birmingham, AL is about 58.7 miles (94.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 49.2 miles (79.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m 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
58.74 mi
00h 55m
Flight
49.18 mi
79.14 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
49.18 mi
Kilometers
79.14 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
58.74 mi
Kilometers
94.54 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Birmingham
Fri, Apr 24, 3:59 PM CDT
Return by in Tuscaloosa
Fri, Apr 24, 4:55 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tuscaloosa
2026-04-24T15:04
Arrive Birmingham
Fri, Apr 24, 3:59 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:40 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
Lake View
AL

City of Iowa, USA

From Tuscaloosa
29.1 mi
00h 27m
To Birmingham
29.6 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Today

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
60°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    53 mi · 57 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street North, Downtown

    1.3 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard

    996 ft · 22 sec · Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 19th Street North

    1439 ft · 34 sec · 19th Street North

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue North

    2431 ft · 51 sec · 5th Avenue North

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 24th Street North

    14 m · 1 sec · 24th Street North

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 24th Street North

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
56.4 mi · 96%
17th Street North
0.8 mi · 1%
5th Avenue North
0.46 mi · 1%
19th Street North
0.27 mi
Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
0.19 mi
University Boulevard
0.14 mi
Longest Stretch

Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

Merge slight left

53 mi · 00h 57m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.5 mi
49.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake View
00h 27m from Tuscaloosa
Leave By
4:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Tuscaloosa and Mostly Clear near Birmingham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 58.7 miles (94.5 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Lake View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.1 miles from Tuscaloosa and 29.6 miles from Birmingham.

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

The direct path is about 49.2 miles (79.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 4:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.84 one way or $15.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Tuscaloosa and Mostly Clear near Birmingham.

Stop Ideas Near Lake View

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

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

BUS

Brent, AL

36 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Birmingham

40 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

41 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
BUS

Marion, AL

74 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Straight-line distance: 49.18 mi (79.14 km).

Tuscaloosa

#1 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

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

#2 Birmingham

The most populous city in Alabama.

Population206,950
Coordinates33.5206600, -86.8024900
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: (-87.569166, 33.209831)
End: 24th Street North (-86.802565, 33.520626)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 95 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.07 gal
7.85 L · about $7.84
Round trip
$15.68
4.14 gal · 15.7 L
Estimated CO2
18.4 kg one way
Round trip: 36.8 kg / 81 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $7.84 $15.68
Mid-grade $4.26 $8.82 $17.63
Premium $4.63 $9.57 $19.15
Diesel $5.42 $11.21 $22.42

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. The current time is 15:04:38.

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.