How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Gadsden, AL?

The driving distance from Tuscaloosa, AL to Gadsden, AL is about 121.4 miles (195.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 40m 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
121.38 mi
01h 50m
Flight
105.71 mi
170.13 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
105.71 mi
Kilometers
170.13 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.38 mi
Kilometers
195.34 km
Drive Time
01h 50m

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 01h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gadsden
Tue, May 5, 5:00 AM CDT
Return by in Tuscaloosa
Tue, May 5, 6:50 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tuscaloosa
2026-05-05T03:10
Arrive Gadsden
Tue, May 5, 5:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:50 AM to 11:50 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:50 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
Birmingham
AL

The most populous city in Alabama.

From Tuscaloosa
59.6 mi
00h 55m
To Gadsden
61.8 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    58.2 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 59 North: Gadsden

    51.7 mi · 56 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 759: Gadsden

    3019 ft · 52 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Black Creek Parkway

    1290 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight left onto Black Creek Parkway

    2621 ft · 52 sec · Black Creek Parkway

  14. 14

    Turn slight right onto South 11th Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · South 11th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    3250 ft · 2 min · Walnut Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South 6th Street

    1205 ft · 35 sec · South 6th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
61.7 mi · 51%
I 59 North
51.7 mi · 43%
I 759
2.72 mi · 2%
South 11th Street
1.46 mi · 1%
Black Creek Parkway
0.74 mi · 1%
Walnut Street
0.62 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

Merge slight left

58.2 mi · 01h 04m

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
01h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.7 mi
105.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Birmingham
00h 55m from Tuscaloosa
Leave By
2:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Tuscaloosa and Mostly Sunny near Gadsden.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 121.4 miles (195.3 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?

Birmingham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.6 miles from Tuscaloosa and 61.8 miles from Gadsden.

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

The direct path is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 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 2:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.21 one way or $32.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Birmingham

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

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

RAIL

Birmingham

1 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

71 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

79 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

91 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tuscaloosa and Gadsden. Straight-line distance: 105.71 mi (170.13 km).

Tuscaloosa

#1 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

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

#2 Gadsden

City in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.

Population34,816
Coordinates34.0143400, -86.0063900
Altitude167
CountryUnited States
Start: (-87.569166, 33.209831)
End: North 6th Street (-86.006372, 34.014381)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 195 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.28 gal
16.21 L · about $16.21
Round trip
$32.42
8.56 gal · 32.42 L
Estimated CO2
38 kg one way
Round trip: 76.1 kg / 168 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $16.21 $32.42
Mid-grade $4.26 $18.23 $36.46
Premium $4.63 $19.80 $39.59
Diesel $5.42 $23.18 $46.35

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Tuscaloosa and Gadsden. The current time is 03:10:10.

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.