Origin
Birmingham, AL
Night in Birmingham on Wednesday
Local time
10:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Birmingham, AL to Mobile, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 42m
Distance
257.1 mi
414 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 29m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Birmingham, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Mobile, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 257.1-mile drive from Birmingham to Mobile, Alabama, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 42 minutes. The route is almost entirely focused on highway travel, with a 99% highway share, making it a straightforward journey through the Southeast. You can expect a fuel cost of around $39 for this trip. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 249.4 miles on I-65, it's a relatively uninterrupted drive. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Alabama cities without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.6 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this journey. The drive predominantly utilizes I-65, accounting for 99% of the route. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 249.4 miles on I-65, which means long periods of consistent highway driving. This profile suggests a steady pace with limited opportunities for scenic byways or winding local roads. The character of the drive is largely determined by the interstate, offering a direct and efficient path between Birmingham and Mobile.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 249.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 165. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 42m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 11; US 78 / 9th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
4
1.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 11; US 78 / 9th Street North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 9th Street North
Navigation decision point
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn right onto US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Navigation decision point
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
5
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 249.4 mi | 4h 31m |
| I 165 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| 1st Avenue North | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Saint Joseph Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 24th Street North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 9th Street North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Saint Louis Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 249.4 mi, about 4h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Mobile, AL.
1
Start on 24th Street North
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
24th Street North
2
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue North
3
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
9th Street North
4
Turn right onto US 11; US 78
439 ft
·
8 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
6
Merge onto I 65
249 mi
·
4 hr 31 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 165: Mobile
8
Continue on I 165
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 165
9
Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Joseph Street
10
Turn right onto Saint Louis Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Saint Louis Street
11
Arrive at destination
Saint Louis Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 42-minute duration, this route works well as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Mobile without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the longest stretch of 249.4 miles on I-65. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that long segment, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so budget accordingly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128.6 miles from Birmingham, AL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 249.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.6 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mobile, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Birmingham, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Birmingham, AL
This is one driving day of about 257.1 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Birmingham, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 249.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.6 mi from Birmingham, AL · 2h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.6 miles from Birmingham, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 249.4 miles.
Arriving in Mobile, AL
The final approach into Mobile, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Mobile, AL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.83 one way
$77.66 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $42.62 | $85.25 |
| premium | $4.56 | $46.15 | $92.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.76 | $113.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.1 | 0 | $27.00 | $12.34 |
| Efficient EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.50 | $10.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.99 | $16.45 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Mobile, AL
Night in Mobile on Wednesday
Local time
10:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
31 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 42m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Mobile, AL covers 257.1 miles and takes about 4h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 165, 1st Avenue North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.6 miles from Birmingham, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.83 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 42m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 11; US 78 / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 11; US 78 / 9th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 11; US 78 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
The route from Birmingham, AL to Mobile, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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