How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Riverside, AL?

The driving distance from Tuscaloosa, AL to Riverside, AL is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 34m 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
105.14 mi
02h 17m
Flight
85.69 mi
137.9 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
85.69 mi
Kilometers
137.9 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.14 mi
Kilometers
169.21 km
Drive Time
02h 17m

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 02h 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Riverside
Sat, Apr 18, 10:56 AM CDT
Return by in Tuscaloosa
Sat, Apr 18, 1:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tuscaloosa
2026-04-18T08:39
Arrive Riverside
Sat, Apr 18, 10:56 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:56 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
McDonald Chapel
AL

Census designated place

From Tuscaloosa
52.6 mi
01h 08m
To Riverside
52.6 mi
01h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    56.3 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward AL 79: Tallapoosa Street

    2597 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on AL 79

    575 ft · 14 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Tallapoosa Street

    769 ft · 18 sec · Tallapoosa Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Vanderbilt Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Vanderbilt Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Pinson Valley Parkway

    10.4 mi · 16 min · Pinson Valley Parkway

  14. 14

    Turn right

    2109 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    11.1 mi · 16 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    17.7 mi · 27 min

  17. 17

    Turn left

    3.5 mi · 6 min

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
59.8 mi · 57%
Pinson Valley Parkway
39.1 mi · 37%
Vanderbilt Road
1.47 mi · 1%
AL 79
0.6 mi · 1%
Tallapoosa Street
0.15 mi
University Boulevard
0.14 mi
Longest Stretch

Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South

Merge slight left

56.3 mi · 01h 02m

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
02h 17m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.4 mi
85.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McDonald Chapel
01h 08m from Tuscaloosa
Leave By
1:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Tuscaloosa and Partly Sunny near Riverside.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?

McDonald Chapel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.6 miles from Tuscaloosa and 52.6 miles from Riverside.

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

The direct path is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 1:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.05 one way or $28.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Tuscaloosa and Partly Sunny near Riverside.

Stop Ideas Near McDonald Chapel

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around McDonald Chapel and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7.6 mi away

City of Adamsville City Hall

Adamsville , AL
4828 Main St, Adamsville, AL 35005
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews City government office,City clerk's office,City courthouse,City Hall,Tourist information center
West Jefferson Town Hall
Meeting point 14.6 mi away

West Jefferson Town Hall

Quinton , AL
7000 W Jefferson Rd, Quinton, AL 35130
Rating 4.6/5 16 reviews City Hall
The Preserve Town Hall
Nearby stop 9.1 mi away

The Preserve Town Hall

Hoover , AL
601 Preserve Way, Hoover, AL 35226
Rating 4.5/5 33 reviews Conference center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McDonald Chapel.

RAIL

Birmingham

12 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

66 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

69 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave
RAIL

Anniston

103 mi away
126 West 4th St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tuscaloosa and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 85.69 mi (137.9 km).

Tuscaloosa

#1 Tuscaloosa

The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

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

#2 Riverside

Town in St.

Population2,376
Coordinates34.0676000, -86.4933200
Altitude205
CountryUnited States
Start: Tuscaloosa (-87.56917, 33.20984)
End: Riverside (-86.49332, 34.0676)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.71 gal
14.04 L · about $14.05
Round trip
$28.10
7.42 gal · 28.08 L
Estimated CO2
33 kg one way
Round trip: 65.9 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $14.05 $28.10
Mid-grade $4.26 $15.80 $31.60
Premium $4.63 $17.16 $34.32
Diesel $5.42 $20.09 $40.18

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Tuscaloosa and Riverside. The current time is 08:39:02.

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.