How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Clayton, AL?

The driving distance from Tuscaloosa, AL to Clayton, AL is about 177.8 miles (286.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154 miles (247.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
177.74 mi
03h 59m
Flight
153.96 mi
247.77 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tuscaloosa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
153.96 mi
Kilometers
247.77 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
177.74 mi
Kilometers
286.05 km
Drive Time
03h 59m

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 03h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clayton
Sat, May 2, 4:00 PM CDT
Return by in Tuscaloosa
Sat, May 2, 8:00 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tuscaloosa
2026-05-02T12:01
Arrive Clayton
Sat, May 2, 4:00 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:00 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tuscaloosa
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Prattville
AL

City in Alabama, United States of America

From Tuscaloosa
88.9 mi
01h 59m
To Clayton
88.9 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Saturday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph N
Destination
66°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Skyland Boulevard East

    1515 ft · 33 sec · Skyland Boulevard East

  7. 7

    Turn slight right

    68 m · 9 sec

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto Old Montgomery Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Old Montgomery Highway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto McFarland Boulevard East

    86.8 mi · 1 hr 52 min · McFarland Boulevard East

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South Memorial Drive

    2 mi · 3 min · South Memorial Drive

  11. 11

    Continue on Birmingham Highway

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Birmingham Highway

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Boulevard

    10.1 mi · 15 min · West Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Troy Highway

    12.4 mi · 16 min · Troy Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left toward US 82 East: Union Springs

    27.2 mi · 37 min

  15. 15

    Turn slight right

    1780 ft · 59 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Martin Luther King Boulevard

    1013 ft · 33 sec · Martin Luther King Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Conecuh Avenue West

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Conecuh Avenue West

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    11.8 mi · 15 min

  19. 19

    Turn slight right onto AL 51 South: Clayton, Wehle Land Conservation Center

    15 mi · 22 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North Midway Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Midway Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Midway Street

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
McFarland Boulevard East
86.8 mi · 49%
US 82 East
27.2 mi · 15%
AL 51 South
15 mi · 8%
Conecuh Avenue West
13.4 mi · 8%
Troy Highway
12.4 mi · 7%
West Boulevard
10.1 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

McFarland Boulevard East

Turn right onto McFarland Boulevard East

86.8 mi · 01h 52m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.8 mi
154 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Prattville
01h 59m from Tuscaloosa
Leave By
9:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Tuscaloosa and Showers And Thunderstorms near Clayton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 177.8 miles (286.1 km) and usually takes 03h 59m 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?

Prattville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.9 miles from Tuscaloosa and 88.9 miles from Clayton.

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

The direct path is about 154 miles (247.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 9:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.74 one way or $47.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Tuscaloosa and Showers And Thunderstorms near Clayton.

Stop Ideas Near Prattville

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

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

BUS

Montgomery, AL

20 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
BUS

Selma, AL

53 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Marion, AL

82 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14
BUS

Brent, AL

86 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tuscaloosa and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 153.96 mi (247.77 km).

Tuscaloosa

#1 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

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

#2 Clayton

Town in Alabama, United States of America

Population2,829
Coordinates31.8782200, -85.4496600
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Tuscaloosa (-87.56917, 33.20984)
End: Clayton (-85.44966, 31.87822)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 286 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.27 gal
23.74 L · about $23.74
Round trip
$47.49
12.54 gal · 47.48 L
Estimated CO2
55.7 kg one way
Round trip: 111.4 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $23.74 $47.49
Mid-grade $4.26 $26.70 $53.41
Premium $4.63 $29.00 $58.00
Diesel $5.42 $33.95 $67.90

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Tuscaloosa and Clayton. The current time is 12:01:01.

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.