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Find low rental car prices in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with Road Genius. Find live rates for SUVs, compact cars, minivans and reserve with no reservation fees. Compare deals from Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and more in downtown Tuscaloosa or grab a car at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport about an hour away. Book early if you are visiting for a Crimson Tide game or graduation because demand jumps and vehicles go fast.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Key Rental Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa local offices | • Lower rates (no airport fees) • Convenient if already in town • Located near downtown/campus • Local expertise | • Limited business hours • Smaller vehicle selection • Often closed Sundays • Limited availability during football weekends |
| Birmingham Airport (BHM) | • Multiple rental companies • Larger vehicle selection • Open extended hours • Pickup immediately after flight | • 59 miles (95 km) from Tuscaloosa (1-hour drive) • Airport fees increase rates • Must factor in travel time to Tuscaloosa |
| McFarland Blvd locations | • Better hours than downtown • Larger parking lots • Near major shopping areas | • Not walking distance to campus • May have limited weekend hours • Transportation needed if arriving by bus |
Rental Companies in Tuscaloosa
- Enterprise (multiple locations, including downtown and McFarland Blvd)
- Hertz (limited presence)
- Avis/Budget (limited operations)
- National/Alamo (may have limited representation)
Transportation Without a Car
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) readily available around campus and downtown
- Limited taxi service
- Crimson Ride transit system (primarily serves students)
- Many hotels offer shuttles to campus/downtown
- Most visitors flying into Birmingham rent at the airport for convenience
Car Rental Prices
How to pay less?
- Skip the airport markup – if you're already in Tuscaloosa, downtown or McFarland Blvd pickups avoid Birmingham Airport fees. Just double-check branch hours first.
- Dodge game-day surges – prices jump 50-100% on football or graduation weekends. Shift pickup to the Monday after the event or drop off the day before to slash the rate.
- Compare a "weekly" vs. daily – in Tuscaloosa a 5-7-day booking can be cheaper than four separate days. Toggle dates on our site and watch the total fall.
- Right-size the ride – compact and midsize cars are cheaper, easier to park near campus and usually plentiful once students leave for summer.
- Return during office hours – local branches charge extra for after-hours drops or late returns. Plan your last drive so the keys go back before the lights go off.
Car rental prices in Tuscaloosa 2025/2026
Parking and Driving
Where to Park:
| Location | Type | Cost | Time Limits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Tuscaloosa | Street parking | Free | 2-hour limits in some areas | Generally available except during events |
| Downtown Intermodal Facility | Parking deck | Paid | No limit | 23rd Ave; free on game days with shuttle |
| University Campus Drive deck | Garage | Paid hourly | During visit | Visitor parking for campus tours |
| Bryant-Denny Stadium area | Surface lots | Reserved/permit | Game day restrictions | Not available for general parking during games |
| The Strip (University Blvd) | Street/small lots | Metered/Paid | Usually 2 hours | Popular dining/shopping near campus |
| Midtown Village | Surface lot | Free | During shopping hours | Major shopping center |
| Riverwalk | Surface lots | Free | Park hours | Recreation area along Black Warrior River |
Local Driving Rules
- Speed limits:
- Campus/downtown streets: 25 mph (40 km/h)
- McFarland Blvd: 45-50 mph (72-80 km/h)
- I-20/59: 65-70 mph (105-113 km/h)
- Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks (strictly enforced on campus)
- Yield to buses when they signal to re-enter traffic
- No handheld cellphone use in active school zones
- Right turns on red permitted after complete stop (unless signed otherwise)
- No toll roads in the Tuscaloosa area
Traffic Patterns
- Rush hours: 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM weekdays
- Heaviest congestion: McFarland Blvd near University Mall and Skyland Blvd
- Game day traffic: Extreme congestion before and after football games
- Special traffic patterns implemented on game days (police directed)
- Some downtown streets have one way sections
- University area busy between classes and during special events
Why rent a car in Tuscaloosa
Book a rental car to see:
- Moundville Archaeological Park – Native American site 20 min south
- Lake Lurleen State Park – hiking trails, lake recreation 25 min northwest
- Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center, Vance – factory tours 20 min east
- McFarland Boulevard – shopping centers, restaurants across the city
- Selma and Montgomery – civil rights landmarks 2–2.5 hrs southeast
- Birmingham – museums, airport 1 hr east
Local Rental Locations
- Alabama
- Anniston, AL
- Auburn, AL
- Birmingham, AL
- Car Rental Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
- Daphne, AL
- Decatur, AL
- Dothan, AL
- Florence, AL
- Foley, AL
- HSV Airport
- Huntsville, AL
- Montgomery, AL
- Oxford, AL
FAQs
Is there a commercial airport in Tuscaloosa?
No, Tuscaloosa's airport is for private and charter flights, not for regular passenger airlines. Most people fly into Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), which is about an hour's drive away.
How far in advance should I book a rental car for a football game weekend?
You should book as soon as you confirm your travel dates, maybe 2 to 3 months early. Rental companies in Tuscaloosa don't have many cars and lots of people want them on game weekends, so prices go up a lot.
Is parking difficult around the University of Alabama campus?
It's hard for visitors to find parking on weekdays when students have classes. You can pay by the hour at the Campus Drive parking deck. For football games, you'll need to buy a permit ahead of time for most campus parking spots.
Can I walk between the University and downtown Tuscaloosa?
Yes, the University of Alabama campus is right next to downtown Tuscaloosa. The main areas are about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) apart. It's a 20 to 30-minute walk along University Boulevard.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Tuscaloosa?
If your driver's license isn't in English, we strongly suggest getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) to use as a translation. For tourists, Alabama allows you to drive using a valid license from your home country.
What happens to traffic after football games?
After games, police change the traffic flow to help clear the city. They make some roads one-way. A drive to Birmingham that normally takes an hour might take over two hours right after a game. You might want to stay overnight instead of driving out.
Is it possible to rent a car in Tuscaloosa and return it in another city?
Yes, you can do one-way rentals, but the car selection and drop-off fees can change. If you rent a car one-way between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, rental companies usually have small drop-off fees or none at all. For longer trips, they may charge you a lot more.
