How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Cottonwood, AL?
The driving distance from Tuscaloosa, AL to Cottonwood, AL is about 220.3 miles (354.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 199.6 miles (321.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 50m.
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.
The capital of Alabama.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tuscaloosa and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa and Cottonwood.
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1
Start on the route
40 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn right onto University Boulevard
718 ft · 22 sec · University Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
2802 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
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4
Continue straight
1785 ft · 25 sec
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5
Continue straight
2.4 mi · 3 min
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6
Turn left onto Skyland Boulevard East
1515 ft · 33 sec · Skyland Boulevard East
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7
Turn slight right
68 m · 9 sec
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8
Turn slight right onto Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Old Montgomery Highway
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9
Turn right onto McFarland Boulevard East
86.8 mi · 1 hr 52 min · McFarland Boulevard East
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10
Turn right onto South Memorial Drive
2 mi · 3 min · South Memorial Drive
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11
Continue on Birmingham Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Birmingham Highway
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12
Turn right onto West Boulevard
10.1 mi · 15 min · West Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto Troy Highway
34.7 mi · 41 min · Troy Highway
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14
Continue straight
7.7 mi · 10 min
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15
Continue straight
546 ft · 9 sec
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16
Continue straight
2 mi · 4 min
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17
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 11 min
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18
Continue straight
38.4 mi · 47 min
-
19
Continue straight
3.8 mi · 6 min
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20
Take the exit slight right
78 m · 8 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Ross Clark Circle
6.5 mi · 10 min · Ross Clark Circle
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22
Take the exit right
53 m · 6 sec
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23
Turn right onto East Cottonwood Road
11.5 mi · 18 min · East Cottonwood Road
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24
Turn slight right onto Sealy Wells Road
85 m · 8 sec · Sealy Wells Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sealy Wells Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tuscaloosa and Cottonwood.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Tuscaloosa and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tuscaloosa to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 220.3 miles (354.6 km) and usually takes 04h 50m 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?
Montgomery is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.2 miles from Tuscaloosa and 110.1 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 199.6 miles (321.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.42 one way or $58.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Tuscaloosa and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Montgomery
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 Montgomery.
Montgomery, AL
Selma, AL
Marion, AL
Camden, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tuscaloosa and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 199.6 mi (321.23 km).
#1 Tuscaloosa
The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
| Population | 102,819 |
| Coordinates | 33.2098400, -87.5691700 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottonwood
Town in Houston County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 1,247 |
| Coordinates | 31.0487900, -85.3049300 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-85.30493, 31.04879)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.42 | $58.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $33.09 | $66.18 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $35.94 | $71.87 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $42.07 | $84.15 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.