Tuscaloosa's main roads are I-20/59, I-359, McFarland Boulevard and Skyland Boulevard. TTA buses run 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays; 205-343-2300.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from ALDOT’s ALGO Traffic, the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority, the City of Tuscaloosa’s parking and transportation page and city news releases.

Tuscaloosa sits on Interstate 20/59, with I-359 running north into downtown. The main surface roads include McFarland Boulevard (U.S. 82) and Skyland Boulevard (U.S. 11). The Tuscaloosa Transit Authority (TTA) runs city buses on weekdays, downtown has a free parking deck, and the Riverwalk links much of the riverfront on foot and by bike.

Who to call

  • Tuscaloosa Transit Authority: 205-343-2300, 601 23rd Ave.
  • City streets and parking questions: Tuscaloosa 311, 311 or 205-248-5311
  • State roads and live traffic: ALGO Traffic, Alabama Department of Transportation

Main roads

Road ALDOT name What it does
Interstate 20/59 I-20/59 East to Birmingham, west to Meridian, Mississippi, per its overhead signs
Interstate 359 I-359 Spur from I-20/59 (Exit 71B) north toward downtown; its Exit 1 is 35th Street
McFarland Boulevard U.S. 82 Passes University Mall at 1701 McFarland Blvd. East
Skyland Boulevard U.S. 11 Runs through east Tuscaloosa
Alabama 69 Alabama 69 Joins I-20/59 at Exit 71
Alabama 215 Alabama 215 Crosses U.S. 82
U.S. 43 U.S. 43 North through Northport

Interstate exits for Tuscaloosa on I-20/59, from ALDOT’s listings: Exit 62 (Holley Springs Lane), Exit 68 (Joe Mallisham Parkway), Exit 71A (Alabama 69 South), Exit 71B (I-359 and Alabama 69 North), Exit 73 (U.S. 82), Exit 77 (Buttermilk Road), Exit 79 (U.S. 11/University Boulevard) and Exit 89 (Daimler Benz Boulevard).

Current lane closures, including long-running work on I-20/59 east of downtown and the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Jack Warner Parkway closure, are on our road construction and closures page.

Buses: Tuscaloosa Transit Authority

The TTA, a local government-owned system running since 1971, operates fixed routes Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., using trolley-style buses. The 4 p.m. run is the last one that can transfer at the main terminal. All routes are ADA accessible, and TTA offers demand response service for eligible riders.

Routes: Greensboro, Alberta/Five Points, McKenzie Court, Skyland, Shelton State (Monday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to noon), University Shuttle (school days only) and V.A.. TTA also runs a UA GameDay route. Seniors 60 and older ride at half fare with a card, children 3 and under ride free, and transfers are free. Track buses in the Passio Go app.

The University of Alabama runs its own Crimson Ride buses on campus.

Parking downtown

  • Free downtown parking deck: 2230 Seventh St., four stories, free to use. For City Hall, cross into the building from the deck’s fourth floor.
  • Overtime parking tickets are $25; pay traffic and parking citations online.
  • Arts and Entertainment District: inside its downtown boundary you may carry one alcoholic drink in an approved cup from participating businesses, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sundays, the city’s district page says. No cups in vehicles.
  • Events: for amphitheater shows and the Fourth of July, the city sends drivers to the downtown deck; the amphitheater’s trestle lot is closed during road work.

Airport

Tuscaloosa National Airport is the city’s airport. A $22.2 million project, mostly paid by the Federal Aviation Administration, is extending Runway 4-22 by 1,100 feet and is due to finish by summer 2027, the city announced. For airline flights, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is reached by I-20/59 east.

Walking and biking

The Riverwalk runs along the Black Warrior River, open 6 a.m. to an hour after sunset, with the Western and Northern Riverwalk extending it. PARA lists more trails at Bowers, Sokol and Hurricane Creek parks. See parks and trails. Velo City Cycles, 401A 22nd Ave., leads a 12-mile Casual Campus Cruise on set Saturdays.

What this means for you

  • No weekend TTA service: plan Saturday trips another way.
  • Park free in the downtown deck at 2230 Seventh St.
  • Check road closures before game days and big shows.

More guides: moving to Tuscaloosa, who to call at City Hall and things to do in Tuscaloosa this month.

Frequently asked questions

Does Tuscaloosa have public buses?

Yes. The Tuscaloosa Transit Authority runs fixed routes Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., including Greensboro, Alberta/Five Points, Skyland, Shelton State and V.A. routes. Call 205-343-2300.

Where can I park free in downtown Tuscaloosa?

The city’s four-story downtown parking deck at 2230 Seventh St. is free. It connects to City Hall by a crosswalk from the fourth floor.

What are the I-20/59 exits for Tuscaloosa?

ALDOT’s exits through Tuscaloosa include Exit 68 (Joe Mallisham Parkway), Exit 71A (Alabama 69 South), Exit 71B (I-359 and Alabama 69 North toward downtown), Exit 73 (U.S. 82) and Exit 79 (U.S. 11/University Boulevard).

Is there an airport in Tuscaloosa?

Yes. Tuscaloosa National Airport is the city’s airport; a $22.2 million project to extend Runway 4-22 by 1,100 feet is due to finish by summer 2027, the city says.