Traffic Flow

Welcome to the Traffic section of the UA Gameday website!  The University of Alabama and local law enforcement authorities are working hard to ensure that Gameday traffic runs as smooth as possible.  There are four clearly defined routes designed to provide fans with the most time efficient ways to get to and from the UA Campus and Coleman Coliseum.  Please use the appropriate route to and from the Coliseum which is closest to and most convenient to where you park. 

 “Cottondale Route

Entering Tuscaloosa via I-20/I-59

1. Take I-20 I-59 toward Tuscaloosa.
2. Take exit 79 Cottondale /Coaling.
3. Proceed west (turn right at the bottom of the exit ramp) on University Boulevard East (US HWY 11).
4. Within the city limits of Cottondale, US HWY 11 and HWY 215 split at a fork in the road. Bear right onto HWY 215 - continuing on University Boulevard East.
5. Continue west on University Boulevard (HWY 215 S) for approximately 4.3 miles to the UA Campus. 
6. Travel past Druid City Hospital and bear left on Paul W. Bryant Drive.
7. Proceed to your second traffic light and Coleman Coliseum is on the left.

Exiting Tuscaloosa via I-20/I-59

1. Find your way to University Boulevard and proceed east.
2. Continue on University Boulevard (HWY 215 N) beyond the McFarland Boulevard intersection.
3. Bear left at Skyland Boulevard East while continuing on University Boulevard East (US HWY 11).
4. Continue on University Boulevard East (US HWY 11) to I-20/59.

"Route 216" (traveling to/from Birmingham area only)

Entering Tuscaloosa via I-20/I-59

1. From Birmingham, Take I-20/I-59 toward Tuscaloosa.
2. Take Exit 104
3. At the top of the ramp, take a right onto state Route 216
4. Follow state Route 216 to Cottondale.
5. At the traffic light in Cottondale, proceed straight ahead.
6. Continue straight onto 15th Street East.
7. Go beyond McFarland Boulevard.
8. Turn right on Dr. Edward Hillard Drive
9. Turn left on Paul W. Bryant Drive.
10. Proceed to your first traffic light and the Coliseum is on your left.  

Exiting Tuscaloosa via I-20/ I-59 (only for fans traveling toward the Birmingham area)

1. From the UA Campus, travel south to 15th Street East
2. Continue on 15th Street East beyond McFarland Boulevard.
3. Continue straight towards Cottondale.
4. Proceed straight beyond the traffic light in Cottondale to state Route 216.
5. Continue on state Route 216 to I-20/I-59.

The “359 Route”

Entering Tuscaloosa via I-20/59

1. Take I-20/59 toward Tuscaloosa.
2. Take exit 71 B, I-359 north.
3. I-359 north ends onto Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard – continue straight on Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard.
4. Turn right onto Paul W. Bryant Drive and travel east thru downtown to the UA campus.
5. Coleman Coliseum is located on the right past Hackberry Lane. 

Exiting Tuscaloosa via I-20/59

1. Find your way to either University Boulevard or Paul W. Bear Bryant Drive (whichever is easiest) and proceed west.

2. Continuing west, turn left onto Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard South (this is a one-way street).

3. Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard South will become I-359. (No turns, just a name change.)

4. Continue on I-359 and it will lead you to I-20/59.

• I - 20/59 north toward Birmingham is to the left.

• I -20/59 south toward Meridian is to the right.

The “McFarland Route”

Entering Tuscaloosa via I-20/59

1. Take I-20/59 toward Tuscaloosa.
2. Take exit 73 McFarland Boulevard.
3. Proceed North on McFarland Boulevard.
   • From Birmingham, right at the bottom of the exit ramp.
   • From Meridian, left at the bottom of the exit ramp.
4. Follow McFarland Boulevard  to University Boulevard.
5. Take the University Boulevard exit.
6. Proceed West on University Boulevard to the UA Campus.
7. Travel past Druid City Hospital and bear left on Paul W. Bryant Drive.
8. Proceed to your second traffic light and Coleman Coliseum is on the left.

Exiting Tuscaloosa via I-20/59

1. Find your way to University Boulevard and proceed east.

2. Continue to the McFarland Boulevard access ramp.

3. Take a left onto the access ramp to get onto McFarland Boulevard.

4. Continue on McFarland Boulevard which will take you to I-20/59.

• I -20/59 north toward Birmingham is to the left.

• I -20/59 south toward Meridian is to the right.