Our robust transportation network accelerates the ease of doing business with efficient, cost-effective shipping.
In Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, businesses can enjoy easy access to all major markets nationally and internationally thanks to our excellent transportation assets. We also lead the way to the future of transportation as home to The University of Alabama’s Transportation Institute, which focuses on emerging transportation technology, challenges and solutions.
Airports & Cargo Facilities
Tuscaloosa National Airport (TCL)
- Only national airport in Alabama, with strategic vision for additional growth and investment
- Approximately 130 operations daily. In 2019, that included 10,076 transient aircraft, 6,476 military aircraft, 325 cargo aircraft, 189 large aircraft, 489 gameday aircraft
- 724 Acres of Property
- 110 based aircraft throughout 63 hangars
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
- Located 50 miles east of Tuscaloosa County
- Alabama’s largest airport in terms of passenger traffic
- Four airlines provide service to nearly 400 destinations
- BHM Air Cargo resources include outstanding facilities, a wide selection of commercial carriers, and U.S. Customs service.
Interstates & Highways
Alabama has five interstate highway systems connecting to major U.S. markets. Tuscaloosa County is serviced by:
- Interstates 20, 59, and 359
- U.S. Highways 82, 43, and 11
- State Highways 69, 215, and 171
- Black Warrior Parkway, a 6-mile, four-lane western bypass connecting U.S. Highway 82 with I-20/59
The Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission provides oversight for the prioritization and financing of public road and bridge construction and maintenance projects that are financed by the tax proceeds allocated for use by the Commission.
Motor Freight
Motor freight and heavy hauling companies offer freight transportation options for local industry, including liquid or dry bulk trucking and local cartage trucking.
Rail Systems
Three railroad systems serve the area for:
- Freight: Class 1 Railroads Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern
- Intermodal Freight: Norfolk Southern’s Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility just across the county line in McCalla
- Passenger Service: Amtrak provides service to destinations throughout the U.S.
Waterway Access
The Black Warrior River
The Black Warrior River bisects Tuscaloosa County and is part of Alabama’s network of more than 1,300 miles of navigable waterways (the largest inland waterway system in the U.S.)
- Federally-maintained waterway providing a minimum 9’ depth and 280’ width
- Connects us to the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
- Connects us to the Port of Mobile
The Port of Mobile & Alabama State Port Authority
The Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) owns and operates the State of Alabama’s deepwater port facilities at the Port of Mobile, located approximately 225 highway miles from Tuscaloosa.
- Encompasses container, general cargo, Ro/Ro, and bulk facilities
- Provides shipping to every major international destination
- Access to two interstate systems, five Class 1 railroads, four-day rail service to Mexico, and almost 15,000 miles of inland waterway connections
- Ranked 9th largest U.S. seaport in total volume, 10th in imports and total foreign trade, and 11th in exports and total domestic trade
Tuscaloosa-Northport Inland Dock
ASPA also operates the Tuscaloosa-Northport Inland Dock in Tuscaloosa County, which features a 60’ by 80’ concrete barge dock, mooring dolphins, a 24,000-square-foot warehouse and a 570,000 bushel grain elevator. Private docking facilities are also available in the county.
Learn more on the ASPA website
Barge Service
Parker Towing Company, with headquarters in Tuscaloosa, provides regional and local barge service and has one of the largest barge lines in the Southeast.